New Zealand announced their 26-player FIFA World Cup 2026 squad on May 14, 2026 at Eden Park, Auckland. Head coach Darren Bazeley named captain Chris Wood, veteran defender Tommy Smith, and 24 others. The All Whites play in Group G against Iran, Egypt, and Belgium.
This is New Zealand’s third World Cup appearance after 1982 and 2010. The All Whites return to the tournament for the first time in 16 years. They qualified directly via Oceania for the first time, beating New Caledonia 3-0 at Eden Park on March 24, 2025.
You will find the full New Zealand World Cup squad 2026 below, with each player’s club, age, senior caps, and international goals. The group fixtures, kickoff times in both ET and New Zealand local time, and venues are also here.
New Zealand World Cup Squad 2026 (Full 26-Player List)
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Max Crocombe | Millwall | 33 | 22 | 0 |
| GK | Alex Paulsen | Lechia Gdańsk | 23 | 6 | 0 |
| GK | Michael Woud | Auckland FC | 27 | 6 | 0 |
| DF | Tim Payne | Wellington Phoenix | 31 | 50 | 3 |
| DF | Francis De Vries | Auckland FC | 33 | 18 | 1 |
| DF | Tyler Bindon | Nottingham Forest | 21 | 23 | 3 |
| DF | Michael Boxall | Minnesota United | 37 | 61 | 1 |
| DF | Liberato Cacace | Wrexham AFC | 25 | 35 | 1 |
| DF | Nando Pijnaker | Auckland FC | 26 | 23 | 0 |
| DF | Finn Surman | Portland Timbers | 23 | 17 | 2 |
| DF | Callan Elliot | Auckland FC | 26 | 9 | 0 |
| DF | Tommy Smith | Braintree Town | 36 | 56 | 2 |
| MF | Lachlan Bayliss | Newcastle Jets | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| MF | Joe Bell | Viking FK | 27 | 31 | 1 |
| MF | Matt Garbett | Peterborough United | 24 | 36 | 5 |
| MF | Ben Old | Saint-Étienne | 23 | 22 | 2 |
| MF | Alex Rufer | Wellington Phoenix | 29 | 24 | 0 |
| MF | Sarpreet Singh | Wellington Phoenix | 27 | 26 | 3 |
| MF | Marko Stamenić | Swansea City | 24 | 37 | 3 |
| MF | Ryan Thomas | PEC Zwolle | 31 | 25 | 3 |
| FW | Kosta Barbarouses | Western Sydney Wanderers | 36 | 74 | 10 |
| FW | Eli Just | Motherwell | 25 | 42 | 9 |
| FW | Callum McCowatt | Silkeborg | 26 | 30 | 4 |
| FW | Jesse Randall | Auckland FC | 25 | 9 | 2 |
| FW | Ben Waine | Port Vale | 24 | 30 | 9 |
| FW | Chris Wood (C) | Nottingham Forest | 34 | 88 | 45 |
See the full list of all 48 World Cup 2026 squads on our central hub.
New Zealand was one of the first nations to publish a final roster, alongside France (also May 14) and after Bosnia and Herzegovina (May 11).
New Zealand World Cup Squad 2026: Quick Stats
- Total players: 26
- Position split: 3 GK, 9 DF, 8 MF, 6 FW
- Captain: Chris Wood
- Average age: 27.7 years
- Oldest player: Michael Boxall (37)
- Youngest player: Tyler Bindon (21)
- Most caps: Chris Wood (88)
- Top scorer: Chris Wood (45 goals)
- Players with 50+ caps: 5 — Chris Wood, Kosta Barbarouses, Michael Boxall, Tommy Smith, Tim Payne
- Players from the 2010 World Cup: 2 — Chris Wood and Tommy Smith
This is one of the most experienced squads in the tournament. Twelve players have 30 or more caps. Wood alone has scored 45 goals, more than four times the next-best scorer in the squad. Boxall is the oldest player at 37.
Key Players to Watch
Chris Wood is the captain and headline name. The Nottingham Forest striker is New Zealand’s all-time top scorer and joint record appearance-holder. He scored nine goals in Oceania qualifying, more than twice the next-best scorer. Wood follows Steve Sumner (1982) and Ryan Nelsen (2010) as New Zealand World Cup captains. He moved to England aged 15 and was one of just six Kiwis ever to play in the Premier League.
Tommy Smith is the only other player in the squad alongside Wood who featured in 2010. The Braintree Town defender was just 20 at South Africa 2010. He returns at 36 for what is likely his final tournament. He played every minute of the 2010 campaign and is known as a “cultural architect” for the team.
Michael Boxall is the oldest player in the squad at 37. The Minnesota United defender scored the opening goal in the 3-0 qualification win over New Caledonia, his first international goal in 55 appearances at that time. He brings MLS leadership and is a captain candidate alongside Wood.
Tyler Bindon is the youngest player at 21. The Nottingham Forest centre-back spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Sheffield United in the Championship. He is tipped to lead the All Whites defensive line in North America. Bindon previously played for Reading and was nominated for the 2024-25 League One Player of the Season award.
Eli Just is a key attacker. The Motherwell winger came off the bench to score the third goal in the qualifying win over New Caledonia. He scored nine international goals in 42 appearances.
Marko Stamenić anchors the midfield. The Swansea City midfielder represented New Zealand at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and has played in the UEFA Champions League with FC Copenhagen.
Lachlan Bayliss is the surprise inclusion. The 23-year-old Newcastle Jets midfielder has just two caps. He was born in Australia and qualifies through his New Zealand father. He won the A-League Men Premier’s Plate with Newcastle Jets in April 2026.
New Zealand World Cup 2026 Schedule
The All Whites are in Group G. Three matches will decide their fate. Kickoff times are listed in both Eastern Time (ET) and New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).
| Date (US) | Opponent | Venue | FIFA Stadium Name | Kickoff ET | Kickoff NZST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, June 15, 2026 | Iran | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood | Los Angeles Stadium | 9:00 pm | Tue Jun 16, 1:00 pm |
| Sun, June 21, 2026 | Egypt | BC Place, Vancouver | Vancouver Stadium | 9:00 pm | Mon Jun 22, 1:00 pm |
| Fri, June 26, 2026 | Belgium | BC Place, Vancouver | Vancouver Stadium | 11:00 pm | Sat Jun 27, 3:00 pm |
Two of New Zealand’s three group matches are in Vancouver. The base on the west coast suits New Zealand fans, with all three matches landing in prime daytime hours back home. Head coach Darren Bazeley called the schedule “perfect for us.”
For TV channels, streaming options, and pub viewing guides, see our full guide on how to watch the World Cup in New Zealand.
Pre-Tournament Friendlies and Base Camp
New Zealand play two warm-up friendlies in Florida before the tournament begins. They face Haiti on June 2, 2026 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, then England on June 7, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Both matches are against fellow World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The team will then move to San Diego, California for the final week of preparation before flying to Los Angeles for the Iran opener.
How New Zealand Qualified
New Zealand qualified directly for the World Cup for the first time. Oceania received an automatic slot in the 48-team format for 2026, ending the All Whites’ three straight playoff failures in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
The final qualifier was at Eden Park, Auckland on March 24, 2025, against New Caledonia. A crowd of 25,132 watched a tense 0-0 first half. Michael Boxall opened the scoring with a header from a Francis De Vries corner in the 62nd minute. Kosta Barbarouses doubled the lead four minutes later with a delicate lob over the goalkeeper. Substitute Eli Just sealed the 3-0 win in the 80th minute.
Chris Wood, who set up an early chance and led the attack, limped off in the second half with what appeared to be a thigh injury. He recovered in time to lead his country to North America.
Head Coach: Darren Bazeley
Darren Bazeley has been New Zealand head coach since 2023. He is English-born, from Northampton, and played as a defender for Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Walsall in England before finishing his career at New Zealand clubs.
Bazeley first joined the New Zealand FA in 2009 and held several coaching roles across age-group teams before taking the senior job. He succeeded Danny Hay, a former Walsall teammate. Bazeley won all of New Zealand’s OFC qualifying matches by at least three goals to deliver direct World Cup qualification.
Group G at a Glance
Group G features one top-10 nation and three sides ranked 21 or lower. The top two teams advance. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also progress to the round of 32 under the new 48-team format.
| Team | FIFA Ranking (April 2026) | Last World Cup | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 9 | 2022 (group stage) | Third place (2018) |
| Iran | 21 | 2022 (group stage) | Group stage |
| Egypt | 29 | 2018 (group stage) | Group stage |
| New Zealand | 85 | 2010 (group stage) | Group stage |
Belgium is the seeded side and the clear group favorite. The next FIFA rankings update is scheduled for June 9, 2026.
FAQ About New Zealand World Cup Squad 2026
Has New Zealand ever won a World Cup match?
No. New Zealand have never won a match at the FIFA World Cup. Across 1982 and 2010, the All Whites have a record of zero wins, three draws, and six losses in nine matches. They will chase their first World Cup victory against Iran in Los Angeles on June 15, 2026.
Why is New Zealand’s football team called the All Whites?
The nickname dates to 1981, when the team wore an all-white kit for the first time in a World Cup qualifier against Taiwan. A commentator dubbed them the “All Whites” as a play on the famous “All Blacks” rugby team. The name has been used officially since the team’s first World Cup qualification in 1982.
Can New Zealand qualify for the World Cup 2026 knockout stage?
Yes, it is mathematically possible. Under the new 48-team format, the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advance to the round of 32. A win and a draw would likely be enough for New Zealand to advance as a best third-placed team for the first time in their history.
Which 2010 World Cup players are in the New Zealand 2026 squad?
Two players return from the 2010 World Cup squad: captain Chris Wood (now 34, then 18) and defender Tommy Smith (now 36, then 20). They are the first New Zealand men to be selected for two FIFA World Cups.
Which clubs do most New Zealand World Cup 2026 players play for?
Auckland FC supplies the most New Zealand-based players with five (Woud, De Vries, Pijnaker, Elliot, Randall). Wellington Phoenix has three (Payne, Rufer, Singh). Nottingham Forest is the only overseas club with multiple players in the squad, with captain Chris Wood and Tyler Bindon both contracted there.
Why did New Zealand miss the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups?
New Zealand won every Oceania qualifying campaign for those tournaments but lost in the intercontinental playoffs each time: against Mexico in 2013, Peru in 2017, and Costa Rica in 2022. Oceania did not have a guaranteed World Cup slot until FIFA granted one for the expanded 48-team 2026 tournament.
Who designs the New Zealand World Cup 2026 kits?
Puma designs the All Whites kits. The 2026 home kit is predominantly black with a silver fern pattern across the fabric. The away kit is white with a swirling pattern inspired by Ngā Hau e Whā, the four Māori winds. Both kits feature “Aotearoa” beneath the back collar.
The New Zealand World Cup squad 2026 combines veteran depth with selected youth. Chris Wood returns at 34 to captain his country for likely the final time. Tommy Smith joins him as the only other 2010 returnee. Group G is open below Belgium.
The All Whites have a real chance to win their first ever World Cup match. Mark Monday, June 15, 2026. New Zealand kick off against Iran at 9:00 pm ET, 1:00 pm NZST on Tuesday June 16.
