New Zealand FIFA World Cup 2026 squad - Full list of players & schedule; Chris Wood included
(Courtesy : Getty)
The All Whites have confirmed their official World Cup squad.
Despite an injury-plagued Premier League & Europa League season, Chris Wood, star striker for Nottingham Forest, has been picked to lead New Zealand’s World Cup team.
The 26 players who will represent the All Whites at the World Cup were confirmed by head coach Darren Bazeley, who chose to forego FIFA’s lengthy preliminary squad. The Oceania team’s objective will be to contend for a spot in the Round of 32 and emerge as one of the tournament’s surprise teams.
Along with Belgium, Egypt, and Iran, New Zealand will compete in Group G, which is a very challenging group for a country wanting to contend with a mix of youth, experience, and several players now playing in major leagues worldwide.
Coach Darren Bazeley revealed the New Zealand team in Auckland on Thursday. After 40 players had played for New Zealand in 10 games over the previous 15 months, Bazeley acknowledged that reducing the team was a challenge.
“It is a privilege to be in this role and name a squad for the FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of the game and the dream of everyone who plays,” Bazeley said. “We have spent the last few years building to this moment and tracking around 55 players in contention to make it.”
New Zealand’s official squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe (Millwall), Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdańsk), Michael Woud (Auckland FC)
Defenders: Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Francis De Vries (Auckland FC), Tyler Bindon (Nottingham Forest), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), Liberato Cacace (Wrexham), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), Tommy Smith (Braintree Town)
Midfielders: Joe Bell (Viking FK), Matt Garbett (Peterborough United), Marko Stamenic (Swansea City), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle)
Forwards: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest), Eli Just (Motherwell), Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Ben Old (Saint-Étienne), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg IF), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets)
- Captain: Chris Wood
- Manager: Darren Bazeley
New Zealand’s group stage schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
- 15 June, 18:00 PDT – Islamic Republic of Iran vs New Zealand – Los Angeles County, California (USA)
- 21 June, 12:00 PDT – New Zealand vs Egypt – Vancouver, British Columbia (CAN)
- 26 June, 20:00 PDT – New Zealand vs Belgium – Vancouver, British Columbia (CAN)
Which World Cup group are the All Whites in?
They are in Group G.
When is their first match?
It’s on 16th June, 6:30 am IST.
Who is the big name in the squad?
Nottingham Forest star Chris Wood.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.