New Zealand name World Cup squad

Darren Bazeley has named his 26 man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA.

“Firstly, it is a privilege to be in this role and name a squad for the FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of the game and the dream of everyone who plays” All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley told NZ Football.  

“We have spent the last few years building to this moment and tracking around 55 players in contention to make it on to the plane to Canada, Mexico, the USA. 

“As a coaching team, we have selected a squad that we feel will put us in the best place to perform, a blend of really exciting young talent and experienced players to maximise our chances of winning games and getting out of our group.”

The All Whites have been drawn in Group G alongside IR Iran (FIFA rank 21), Egypt (FIFA rank 29) and Belgium (FIFA rank 9).  

New Zealand starts their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey against IR Iran on Tuesday 16 June, kicking off at 1pm NZT, at Los Angeles Stadium. 

Next, they face Egypt on Monday 22 June, also kicking off at 1pm NZT, at BC Place in Vancouver. 

Their final Group G match sees them face the top seed in the pool Belgium on Saturday 27 June, kicking off at 3pm NZT, also at BC Place in Vancouver.  

The full squad

1: Max Crocombe (22/0) Millwall FC, England

2: Tim Payne (50/3) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

3: Francis De Vries (18/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand

4: Tyler Bindon (23/3) Nottingham Forest, England

5: Michael Boxall (61/1) Minnesota United. USA

6: Joe Bell (31/1) Viking FK, Norway

7: Matt Garbett (36/5) Peterborough United, England

8: Marko Stamenić (37/3) Swansea City, Wales

9: Chris Wood (88/45) Nottingham Forest, England

10: Sarpreet Singh (26/3) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

11: Eli Just (42/9) Motherwell FC, Scotland

12: Alex Paulsen (6/0) Lechia Gdańsk, Poland

13: Liberato Cacace (35/1) Wrexham AFC, Wales

14: Alex Rufer (24/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

15: Nando Pijnaker (23/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand

16: Finn Surman (17/2) Portland Timbers, USA

17: Kosta Barbarouses (74/10) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia

18: Ben Waine (30/9) Port Vale, England

19: Ben Old (22/2) Saint-Étienne, France

20: Callum McCowatt (30/4) Silkeborg, Denmark

21: Jesse Randall (9/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand

22: Michael Woud (6/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand

23: Ryan Thomas (25/3) PEC Zwolle, The Netherlands

24: Callan Elliot (9/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand

25: Lachlan Bayliss (2/0) Newcastle Jets, Australia

26: Tommy Smith (56/2) Braintree Town, England

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