{"id":1450752,"date":"2026-06-11T23:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T22:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=news&#038;p=1450752"},"modified":"2026-06-11T23:35:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T22:35:20","slug":"new-zealand-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/new-zealand-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>This summer will mark New Zealand&#8217;s third appearance at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\">World Cup<\/a>. They went unbeaten in their most recent appearance in 2010, but three draws wasn&#8217;t enough to see them past the group stage.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Darren Bazeley&#8217;s side easily advanced to the third round of qualification. They then dispatched Fiji and New Caledonia for a place at this summer&#8217;s tournament across North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-route-to-the-world-cup\">New Zealand route to the World Cup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That set up a semi-final against Fiji, which Darren Bazeley&#8217;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&#8217;s spot at the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-world-cup-2026-fixtures\">New Zealand World Cup 2026 fixtures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/iran-world-cup-2026-fixtures-players-analysis\/\">Iran<\/a> at 6pm local time. Six days later, they will take on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/egypt-world-cup-2026-fixtures-players-analysis\/\">Egypt<\/a> at BC Place in Vancouver, north of the border in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, the All Whites will wrap up the group stages by staying in Vancouver where they will take on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/belgium-world-cup-2026-fixtures-players-analysis\/\">Belgium<\/a> in their third and final match on 26th June at 8pm local time. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vcsw-sports-widgets shortcode vcsw-sports-fixtures\" id=\"sports_fixtures-1\"><script type=\"application\/json\">{\"sports_type\":\"football\",\"competition\":\"\",\"participant_id\":\"666cd7ad773e0180d8e8de84\",\"start_date\":\"\",\"widget_type\":\"fixtures\",\"results\":false,\"groups\":\"\",\"stage\":\"\"}<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/new-zealand-world-cup-2026-odds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get the latest New Zealand World Cup 2026 outright odds here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-key-players-for-world-cup-2026\">New Zealand key players for World Cup 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-top-world-cup-golden-boot-contender-chris-wood\">New Zealand top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Chris Wood<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Key stat:<\/strong> Chris Wood is New Zealand&#8217;s all-time leading goalscorer with 45 goals to his name in 88 caps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to putting the ball in the net for New Zealand, hope will be pinned on Nottingham Forest&#8217;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&#8217;s struggled with injuries so far in the 2025-26 campaign, he has the requisite experience and quality to hurt defences at this summer&#8217;s tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-primary-playmaker-matt-garbett\">New Zealand primary playmaker: Matt Garbett<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Key stat:<\/strong> No player managed as many assists as Matt Garbett in OFC World Cup Qualifying as he ended with five &#8211; one more than teammate Tim Payne.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A mainstay of Peterborough United&#8217;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 &#8211; he&#8217;ll look to dovetail with Sarpreet Singh and Elijah Just in the space behind Chris Wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-card-magnet-and-top-tackler-michael-boxall\">New Zealand card magnet and top tackler: Michael Boxall<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Key stat<\/strong>: Michael Boxall has been booked no fewer than 52 times in Major League Soccer during his time with Minnesota United.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-rising-star-ben-old\">New Zealand rising star: Ben Old<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately for Old and the French giants, Saint-Etienne fell short in the race for promotion. They&#8217;ll be hoping it isn&#8217;t a sign of things to come in North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>STAND-OUT STAT: <strong>New Zealand<\/strong> 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-set-piece-specialists\">New Zealand set-piece specialists<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Penalties: <\/strong>Chris Wood<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Free kicks: <\/strong>Sarpreet Singh, Matt Garbett<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Corners: <\/strong>Sarpreet Singh, Elijah Just<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tactical-analysis-and-formation\">Tactical analysis and formation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1454639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-214x267.png 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-160x200.png 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-48x60.png 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-120x150.png 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND-59x74.png 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04143748\/NEW-ZEALAND.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It seems there&#8217;s a few spots still up for grabs in Darren Bazeley&#8217;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&#8217;s Liberto Cacace will start at left-back and the dependable Tim Payne is likely to get the nod at right-back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/new-zealand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Get the latest New Zealand World Cup goals, assists, shots, passes and tackle stats here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-manager-analysis\">New Zealand manager analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s since worked his way up through the ranks in the New Zealand national team set up. He&#8217;s coached the U17s, U20, U23s and been first-team assistant on two different occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The stats below are from his current spell in charge of the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Coach<\/th><th>Team<\/th><th>P<\/th><th>W<\/th><th>D<\/th><th>L<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Win %<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Darren Bazeley<\/td><td>New Zealand<\/td><td>31<\/td><td>12<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>13<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">38.71%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-zealand-world-cup-faqs\">New Zealand World Cup FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Have New Zealand ever won the World Cup?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No, New Zealand are yet to even win a single match at the World Cup finals. In their two previous appearances they&#8217;ve been knocked out in the group stages, losing all three games in 1982 and drawing all three in 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where did New Zealand finish in the last World Cup?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who will be New Zealand captain at the World Cup?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who is New Zealand&#8217;s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                    <h2 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class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Norway World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/new-zealand-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/11233014\/3EMM928-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"New Zealand striker Chris Wood\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">News<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/new-zealand-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    New Zealand World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/netherlands-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/11232433\/3EMCH4X-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Netherlands forward Memphis Depay\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">News<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/netherlands-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Netherlands World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/morocco-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/11231938\/3EMMPFR-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Achraf Hakimi in action for Morocco\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">News<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/morocco-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Morocco World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/iran-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/11230322\/3EKBG0J-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Iran striker Mehdi Taremi\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">News<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/iran-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Iran World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/deansmith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Dean Smith                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/haiti-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/11225621\/3EM8XDK-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Haiti striker Wilson Isidor\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">News<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/haiti-world-cup-2026-fixtures-squad-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Haiti World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/deansmith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Dean Smith                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This summer will mark New Zealand&#8217;s third appearance at a World Cup. They went unbeaten in their most recent appearance in 2010, but three draws wasn&#8217;t enough to see them past the group stage. Darren Bazeley&#8217;s side easily advanced to the third round of qualification. They then dispatched Fiji and New Caledonia for a place&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":427,"featured_media":1456916,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"new zealand world cup 2026","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Everything you need to know about New Zealand at World Cup 2026 including their fixtures, key players, manager and tactical analysis.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"news-category":[27626],"class_list":["post-1450752","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-category-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>New Zealand World Cup 2026: Fixtures, manager, squad depth and tactical analysis | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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