New Zealand
About New Zealand
New Zealand have appeared at the World Cup twice — in 1982 and 2010. The 1982 campaign in Spain ended in three defeats, including a 5-2 loss to Scotland. The 2010 South Africa tournament was the high-water mark: the All Whites drew all three group games against Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay to finish unbeaten, the only team in the tournament to do so without advancing. Winston Reid's late equaliser against Slovakia remains the most iconic moment in New Zealand football. 2026 is their first appearance since that unbeaten group stage.
New Zealand are out of the World Cup
New Zealand did not advance from the group stage, so there is no knockout path to project.
Players to watch
Chris Wood
Sarpreet SinghBazeley typically deploys a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 with Wood as the lone reference point or one of a front two. Sarpreet Singh operates in the ten role, linking midfield to attack, while Joe Bell and Marko Stamenic provide defensive cover in the centre. Cacace pushes high on the left. The team defends in a mid-block and looks to transition quickly, using Wood's hold-up play to relieve pressure.
Watch Chris Wood first — the Nottingham Forest striker has been one of the Premier League's most reliable finishers and is New Zealand's all-time leading scorer, the focal point every opponent plans around. Liberato Cacace brings genuine top-flight quality from the left flank, combining defensive discipline with the drive to get forward for Wrexham. Sarpreet Singh, operating in central midfield for Wellington Phoenix, is the most technically gifted passer in the squad and the man most likely to unlock a low block.
Chris Wood's Premier League-proven finishing gives New Zealand a genuine threat from limited chances — he converts at a rate most OFC nations cannot match. Cacace's quality at left back provides an attacking outlet and defensive reliability that is several levels above the confederation average.
Beyond Wood, the forward line — Ben Old, Callum McCowatt, Kosta Barbarouses — is largely Championship-level or lower, meaning creativity must come from midfield. The squad's depth in central defence is thin, with Michael Boxall ageing and Tyler Bindon still inexperienced at this level.
The lines
Chris Wood is the undisputed focal point, with his aerial ability and clinical finishing doing the heavy lifting. Ben Old at Saint-Étienne and Callum McCowatt at Silkeborg IF provide pace off the bench, but the attack lives or dies on Wood's service and form.
Sarpreet Singh is the creative hub, while Joe Bell at Viking FK and Marko Stamenic at Swansea City provide the defensive and box-to-box legs. Matt Garbett and Ryan Thomas offer cover, but the unit's ceiling is largely determined by how much space Singh is given to operate.
Liberato Cacace is the standout at left back. Michael Boxall brings MLS experience in central defence alongside the younger Tyler Bindon, who benefits from training at Nottingham Forest. Tommy Smith and Finn Surman offer cover, but the back four's cohesion under World Cup pressure remains an open question.
Max Crocombe of Millwall is the expected first choice, with Championship experience giving him the edge over Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdańsk) and Michael Woud (Auckland FC). He is a competent shot-stopper but has not been tested at this level before.
Squad
Fixtures & results
Frequently asked questions
What group is New Zealand in at the 2026 World Cup?
New Zealand are in Group G at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Who is New Zealand's manager?
New Zealand are managed by Darren Bazeley.
Who are New Zealand's players to watch?
Key players to watch for New Zealand include Chris Wood, Liberato Cacace, Sarpreet Singh.
See the full World Cup 2026 title odds and predicted bracket.