New Zealand has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans of the All Whites should get ready for the tournament. The team has been chosen, and now the real preparation begins. So, who's in it and how did we get here?
Key Takeaways
- The All Whites are New Zealand’s senior men’s national football team.
- Darren Bazeley named a 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.⁶
- Chris Wood is the captain and main striker.
- New Zealand qualified for the World Cup by beating New Caledonia 3-0 at Eden Park.⁵
- The squad includes experienced players, overseas-based professionals, and newer names pushing for bigger roles.
- New Zealand are in Group G with Iran, Egypt, and Belgium.⁶
Who Are the New Zealand National Football Team Players?
The All Whites are New Zealand's senior men's football team. It represents the country on the biggest stage in sport. Before we look at the individuals on the team, let's consider how the wider squad is built.
The All Whites are New Zealand’s men’s national football team. The 2026 squad includes 26 players selected to represent New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup, with a mix of experienced internationals, overseas-based professionals, and younger players competing for places.⁶
Darren Bazeley has named the squad with a focus on more than just the biggest names. He's picked the required three goalkeepers, defensive cover, midfield options, creative players, and forwards to support the captain. Hear the man himself explain his choices.
The squad matters because even though there are 11 players on the pitch, there are several matches and substitutions within matches. The coaching staff also need a team with options across the pitch. Beyond that, the right players must be at the training camp, too.
players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving Darren Bazeley options across goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.⁶
All Whites Starting 11: The Key Players to Know
Start familiarising yourself with the All Whites' key players. While in some circles, the Football Ferns players may seem like bigger names, these are the All Whites players who featured in the recent competitive line-up against New Caledonia.⁴ This gives us an idea of who's likely to play the World Cup matches for New Zealand.
Max Crocombe
Tim Payne
Michael Boxall
Tyler Bindon
Liberato Cacace
Joe Bell
Marko Stamenić
Matt Garbett
Sarpreet Singh
Callum McCowatt
Chris Wood
All Whites Players Beyond the Starting 11
It's not just the players who start matches. New Zealand has experienced players throughout the squad, including Chris Wood and Tommy Smith, both of whom were part of the 2010 World Cup group.⁷ These players could make the difference in matches, especially if they need to change the system or rest players.
Kosta Barbarouses
Tommy Smith
Eli Just
Ben Waine
Lachlan Bayliss
| Player | Position | Club | Club Country | Caps | Goals | Squad Role | Source URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Crocombe | Goalkeeper | Millwall FC | England | 22 | 0 | Senior goalkeeper option and recent competitive starter. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Alex Paulsen | Goalkeeper | Lechia Gdańsk | Poland | 6 | 0 | Goalkeeper depth. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Michael Woud | Goalkeeper | Auckland FC | New Zealand | 6 | 0 | Domestic-based goalkeeper. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Tyler Bindon | Defender | Nottingham Forest | England | 23 | 3 | Young defensive starter with important senior tournament experience. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Michael Boxall | Defender | Minnesota United | United States | 61 | 1 | Experienced centre-back and one of the goalscorers in the qualifying final. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Liberato Cacace | Defender | Wrexham AFC | Wales | 35 | 1 | Key left-sided defender and one of the squad’s main overseas-based players. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Francis De Vries | Defender | Auckland FC | New Zealand | 18 | 1 | Domestic-based defender. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Callan Elliot | Defender | Auckland FC | New Zealand | 9 | 0 | Defensive squad option. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Tim Payne | Defender | Wellington Phoenix | New Zealand | 50 | 3 | Experienced full-back and regular defensive option. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Nando Pijnaker | Defender | Auckland FC | New Zealand | 23 | 0 | Centre-back depth. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Finn Surman | Defender | Portland Timbers | United States | 17 | 2 | Young defensive option. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Tommy Smith | Defender | Braintree Town | England | 56 | 2 | Veteran defender with previous World Cup experience. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Lachlan Bayliss | Midfielder | Newcastle Jets | Australia | 2 | 0 | Newer midfield inclusion in the World Cup squad. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Joe Bell | Midfielder | Viking FK | Norway | 31 | 1 | Central midfield regular in New Zealand’s recent competitive side. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Alex Rufer | Midfielder | Wellington Phoenix | New Zealand | 24 | 0 | Midfield depth. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Marko Stamenić | Midfielder | Swansea City | Wales | 37 | 3 | Key midfield presence and one of the main players in the centre of the pitch. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Ryan Thomas | Midfielder | PEC Zwolle | The Netherlands | 25 | 3 | Experienced midfielder. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Kosta Barbarouses | Forward | Western Sydney Wanderers | Australia | 74 | 10 | Experienced attacking option and qualifying final goalscorer. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Matt Garbett | Forward | Peterborough United | England | 36 | 5 | Attacking midfielder or forward who can support the main striker. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Eli Just | Forward | Motherwell FC | Scotland | 42 | 9 | Wide attacking option and qualifying final goalscorer. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Callum McCowatt | Forward | Silkeborg | Denmark | 30 | 4 | Attacking support player and recent competitive starter. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Ben Old | Forward | Saint-Étienne | France | 22 | 2 | Young attacking option. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Jesse Randall | Forward | Auckland FC | New Zealand | 9 | 2 | Domestic-based forward. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Sarpreet Singh | Forward | Wellington Phoenix | New Zealand | 26 | 3 | Creative attacking player in the All Whites squad. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Ben Waine | Forward | Port Vale | England | 30 | 9 | Centre-forward depth behind Chris Wood. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
| Chris Wood | Forward | Nottingham Forest | England | 88 | 45 | Captain, main striker, and the squad’s leading attacking figure. | https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608 |
Who Is the All Whites Coach?
A squad is shaped by the coach. Darren Bazeley, therefore, has an important role. His experience across age groups and in Olympic and senior international football is key to understanding his squad selection.³
Darren Bazeley is the All Whites coach. He has worked across New Zealand's national-team pathway. He has coached at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, FIFA U-20 World Cup, the Olympics, and the senior international level, giving him strong tournament experience with New Zealand players.³
How New Zealand Qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
New Zealand qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through Oceania qualifying. They finished the job against New Caledonia with a 3-0 win at Eden Park.⁵ The FIFA+ highlights show the key moments from the final, including the goals that sent the All Whites to the tournament.² While the Football Ferns qualify more regularly, the
New Zealand qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by beating New Caledonia 3-0 in the Oceania Qualifiers final at Eden Park. Michael Boxall, Kosta Barbarouses, and Eli Just scored the goals that confirmed the All Whites’ place at the tournament.⁵
What Group Are the All Whites in at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The World Cup begins with the group stages. The groups are mini-leagues in which teams play each other once to determine their qualification and placement in the subsequent knockout rounds. The All Whites are in Group G.
A strong Asian opponent with major tournament experience and a squad used to competitive international football.
An African side with technical quality, attacking threat, and players used to high-pressure matches.
One of the toughest teams in the group, with an elite European pedigree and players from some of the world's strongest leagues.
What Makes This All Whites Squad Interesting?
The current New Zealand squad is an interesting one. The variety of players with different experiences is fascinating. Some experienced leaders have played at a major international level, there are regular overseas-based professionals, and newer players are trying to earn bigger roles. Sure, New Zealand are underdogs on paper, especially given FIFA's ranking of them 85th in the men's world ranking, but they could be worth watching.¹
in the men’s world ranking, underlining the size of the challenge facing the All Whites in Group G.¹
References
- FIFA. “Current Men’s Ranking: New Zealand.” Inside FIFA, FIFA, https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/NZL. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- FIFA. “New Caledonia v New Zealand | Final | OFC Qualifiers | FIFA World Cup 26™ | Highlights.” FIFA+, 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/sf1-winner-v-sf2-winner-final-ofc-qualifiers-fifa-world-cup-26tm-highlights-2025/7ffdef56-7f56-47cc-bb79-0db33fc31a94. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- FIFA. “New Zealand’s Darren Bazeley Set to Achieve Unique FIFA World Cup First.” Inside FIFA, 25 Mar. 2026, https://inside.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/news/darren-bazeley-new-zealand-world-cup-1st-coach-all-tournaments. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- FootballCritic. “New Caledonia vs New Zealand (0-3) Mar 24, 2025 Match Stats.” FootballCritic, 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.footballcritic.com/wc-qualification-new-caledonia-new-zealand/match-stats/3667518. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Football. “All Whites Qualify for FIFA World Cup for the Third Time with 3-0 Win Over New Caledonia at Eden Park.” New Zealand Football, 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/151673?newsfeedId=2064762. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Football. “New Zealand Squad Named for FIFA World Cup 2026.” New Zealand Football, 14 May 2026, https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165753?newsfeedId=1275608. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- Ransom, Ian. “New Zealand Pick Veteran Smith in Wood-Captained World Cup Squad.” Reuters, 14 May 2026, https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/new-zealand-pick-veteran-smith-wood-captained-world-cup-squad-2026-05-13/. Accessed 18 May 2026.
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