New Zealand appeared in their third World Cup in 2026, but once again fell short of reaching the knockout stages.
The All Whites went unbeaten in their most recent showing in 2010, but three draws wasn’t enough to see them past the group stage. This time around, they opened their campaign with an exciting 2-2 draw against Iran, however, they were unable to add to this point after they lost 3-1 to Egypt and 5-1 to Belgium.
As a result, New Zealand finished bottom of Group G with one point on the board.
New Zealand World Cup 2026 fixtures
New Zealand opened up their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against Iran, with their exciting and high intensity brand of football on full display. T
hey made a good start against Egypt, too, but gave up a half-time lead to lose 3-1 in Vancouver.
Belgium awaited in their final game, which ended 5-1 to the Red Devils.
READ MORE: Get the latest New Zealand World Cup 2026 outright odds here
New Zealand World Cup 2026 stats
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 the new structure has caused is the allocation of 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 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 struggled with injuries in the 2025-26 campaign, he has the requisite experience and quality to hurt defences at this summer’s tournament. That’s when he’s not setting up goals.
New Zealand dynamic wide man: Elijah Just
New Zealand winger, Elijah Just, scored a brace in their opening game of the World Cup against Iran, earning his side a valuable point in Group G.
Just is playing his football in Scotland for Motherwell, having scored seven times in 30 appearances in the 2025-26 season, also providing eight assists.
The 26-year-old has 45 appearances for his country, scoring his 10th and 11th goal in their first group game, and he will be hoping to add more against Belgium and Egypt in the coming games.
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 | 32 | 12 | 5 | 15 | 37.5% |
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 1- 0 by 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?
Elijah Just is New Zealand’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups, thanks to his two goals against Iran.
Read more:
