This summer will mark New Zealand’s third appearance at a World Cup. They went unbeaten in their most recent appearance in 2010, but three draws wasn’t enough to see them past the group stage.
Darren Bazeley’s side easily advanced to the third round of qualification. They then dispatched Fiji and New Caledonia for a place at this summer’s tournament across North America.
Iran, Egypt and Belgium await the All Whites in June. Their chances largely rest on all-time goalscorer Chris Wood, who has missed a significant portion of the domestic season through injury.
New Zealand route to the World Cup
New Zealand fans will no doubt be among the happiest with the new World Cup structure that sees 48 teams compete in the finals rather than 32. One of the key changes that new structure has caused is to allow one guaranteed qualification spot to a team from the OFC. As the dominant force in that confederation, the All Whites will expect to qualify on a much more regular basis.
Unsurprisingly, they faced few issues in progressing through this qualifying campaign. Having entered in the Second Round in Group B, the Kiwis won their group in emphatic fashion. The All-Whites scored 19 goals and conceded one in three games as they beat Vanuatu 8-1 and Samoa 8-0.
That set up a semi-final against Fiji, which Darren Bazeley’s men won 7-0, before a 3-0 win over New Caledonia in front of 25,000 fans at Eden Park in New Zealand in the final secured the team’s spot at the tournament.
New Zealand World Cup 2026 fixtures
New Zealand will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign in Inglewood, California at the SoFi Stadium. That opener will be on the 15th June where they will take on Iran at 6pm local time. Six days later, they will take on Egypt at BC Place in Vancouver, north of the border in Canada.
Finally, the All Whites will wrap up the group stages by staying in Vancouver where they will take on Belgium in their third and final match on 26th June at 8pm local time.
READ MORE: Get the latest New Zealand World Cup 2026 outright odds here
New Zealand key players for World Cup 2026
New Zealand top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Chris Wood
- Key stat: Chris Wood is New Zealand’s all-time leading goalscorer with 45 goals to his name in 88 caps.
When it comes to putting the ball in the net for New Zealand, hope will be pinned on Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood. The 34-year-old striker has enjoyed a prolific career in England and has carried that form into his international appearances. Although he’s struggled with injuries so far in the 2025-26 campaign, he has the requisite experience and quality to hurt defences at this summer’s tournament.
New Zealand primary playmaker: Matt Garbett
- Key stat: No player managed as many assists as Matt Garbett in OFC World Cup Qualifying as he ended with five – one more than teammate Tim Payne.
A mainstay of Peterborough United’s side in League One, Matt Garbett is one of the creative forces in this New Zealand outfit. A versatile, attack-minded midfielder, Garbett is capable of beating players and has a dangerous cross in his locker – he’ll look to dovetail with Sarpreet Singh and Elijah Just in the space behind Chris Wood.
New Zealand card magnet and top tackler: Michael Boxall
- Key stat: Michael Boxall has been booked no fewer than 52 times in Major League Soccer during his time with Minnesota United.
Michael Boxall is a card magnet. He was booked seven times in MLS last season, including twice in four play-off matches. But that was actually a good season for him. He had been booked nine times in each of the previous three league seasons and has averaged 1.5 tackles per 90 in his 243 league appearances since joining in 2017. At 37, his ageing legs may be prone to the odd foul against some strong opponents.
New Zealand rising star: Ben Old
One of a handful of players with European experience, Ben Old was a first-team regular for Saint-Etienne last season, starting 20 league games in Ligue 2.
Unfortunately for Old and the French giants, Saint-Etienne fell short in the race for promotion. They’ll be hoping it isn’t a sign of things to come in North America.
STAND-OUT STAT: New Zealand are the only team in World Cup history to be eliminated from the tournament without losing a match as they were knocked out in the group stages in 2010 after drawing all three games.
New Zealand set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Chris Wood
- Free kicks: Sarpreet Singh, Matt Garbett
- Corners: Sarpreet Singh, Elijah Just
Tactical analysis and formation
It seems there’s a few spots still up for grabs in Darren Bazeley’s starting eleven. The English-born boss is likely to go with the experience of Millwall goalkeeper Max Crocombe between the sticks, while the youthful Tyler Bindon and Finn Surman could start as the centre-back pairing. Wrexham’s Liberto Cacace will start at left-back and the dependable Tim Payne is likely to get the nod at right-back.
In midfield, Joe Bell will compete with the likes of Marko Stamenic, Ryan Thomas and Alex Rufer to start. Sarpreet Singh however, seems to be a likely choice in the No.10 role. Elijah Just and Matthew Garbett feel like the most likely starters out wide, although Callum McCowatt and Ben Old will hope to force their way in. Chris Wood, if fit, is the only real guaranteed starter in this whole XI.
An attack-minded 4-2-3-1 on paper, those three attacking midfielders will drop much deeper out of possession. Surman and Bindon will be expected to defend the crosses from deep as part of a low-block approach. This side will work hard, but may just lack the in-possession quality to be a real threat.
Get the latest New Zealand World Cup goals, assists, shots, passes and tackle stats here
New Zealand manager analysis
A Watford stalwart with over 300 appearances for the Hornets during his playing days, Bazeley joined New Zealand Knights in 2005 and eventually retired from playing in 2008. He’s since worked his way up through the ranks in the New Zealand national team set up. He’s coached the U17s, U20, U23s and been first-team assistant on two different occasions.
He eventually took over the top job from Danny Hay in 2022 and has been dominant against OFC opponents so far, winning the 2024 Nations Cup and easing his way through the qualifying stages. Having been involved with the national team set-up for so long he has a good relationship with his players and knows who he can trust against stronger opponents in these World Cup matches.
The stats below are from his current spell in charge of the team.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Bazeley | New Zealand | 31 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 38.71% |
New Zealand World Cup FAQs
Have New Zealand ever won the World Cup?
No, New Zealand are yet to even win a single match at the World Cup finals. In their two previous appearances they’ve been knocked out in the group stages, losing all three games in 1982 and drawing all three in 2010.
Where did New Zealand finish in the last World Cup?
New Zealand failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Despite winning out in OFC qualification they were beaten by 1-0 Costa Rica in the inter-confederation play-off.
Who will be New Zealand captain at the World Cup?
Unsurprisingly, Chris Wood is the New Zealand captain. He became the youngest ever captain 12 years ago when he took the armband for the first time in 2014.
Who is New Zealand’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups
Despite not yet winning a game at the World Cup, New Zealand have scored four goals and all four were scored by different players. Steve Sumner and Stephen Wooddin were the goalscorers in a 5-2 defeat to Scotland back in 1982 while Winston Reid and Shane Smeltz were the men to find the net in 2010.
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