New Zealand Football has finalized its 26-player squad for the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup, headlined by injured Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, who will captain the nation’s first World Cup side in 14 years. The announcement, made Thursday by head coach Darren Bazeley in Auckland, marks a milestone for New Zealand men’s football, with two players set to break new ground for the country on soccer’s biggest global stage.
Alongside Wood, 36-year-old defender Tommy Smith earned a surprise recall, receiving his first All Whites call-up since late 2024 despite plying his trade in England’s fifth-tier National League. Both Wood and Smith featured in New Zealand’s 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa, making them the first New Zealand men ever to qualify for two World Cup tournaments. As team captain, Wood follows in the footsteps of New Zealand World Cup skippers Steve Sumner (1982 Spain) and Ryan Nelsen (2010), carrying the nation’s hopes of a historic first knockout stage berth.
Bazeley acknowledged that cutting the preliminary pool down to 26 roster spots was one of the hardest challenges of his preparation, noting that 40 different players featured for the All Whites across 10 international matches over the previous 15 months, with more than 50 players tracked for selection in the years leading up to the tournament.
“Naming a World Cup squad is a true privilege — the World Cup is the pinnacle of our sport, and it’s the ultimate dream for every player who steps onto the pitch,” Bazeley said in his announcement address. “We’ve spent years building toward this moment, evaluating every contender who put themselves forward for a spot.”
The head coach added that his technical staff settled on a group they believe gives New Zealand the best possible chance to achieve an unprecedented result: advancing out of the group stage. Ranked 85th in the FIFA rankings, New Zealand was drawn into Group G alongside three higher-ranked opponents: No. 9 Belgium, No. 20 Iran and No. 29 Egypt. The All Whites have never advanced past the group stage in their two prior World Cup appearances, a fact Bazeley says his side is hungry to change.
“This process is never easy, and we do not take the responsibility of selecting this squad lightly,” he said. “But I am confident we have put together the strongest possible group to compete against Iran, Egypt, Belgium and whoever comes next. Now the debate is over — it’s time to head to the tournament and seize this chance to make history for New Zealand.”
Wood, who has missed extensive club action this season with injury, delivered a pre-recorded address to the squad announcement crowd from his base in England, saying he is eager to join his teammates and compete on the world stage.
“I can’t wait to share this moment with all of you and make history together,” Wood said. “I hope we can make the entire country proud and show the world what New Zealand football is capable of.”
The squad blends veteran experience with exciting young emerging talent, a balance that is on clear display across the roster. At the opposite end of the experience spectrum from 36-year-old Smith, 23-year-old midfielder Lachlan Bayliss earned a spot just two months after making his international debut. Bayliss enjoyed a breakout 2023-24 season with the Newcastle Jets in Australia’s A-League, and qualifies for New Zealand through his Kiwi father despite being born and raised in Australia.
Other key selections include Auckland FC goalkeeper Michael Woud, who won a tight battle for the third goalkeeper spot behind starters Alex Paulsen and Max Crocombe. Up front, Wood will be backed by Australia-based veteran Kosta Barbarouses, Port Vale forward Ben Waine and Silkeborg winger Callum McCowatt. On the back line, Smith joins a deep group of central defender options including Michael Boxall, Tyler Bindon, Nando Pijnaker and Finn Surman.
The full 26-player New Zealand World Cup squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud
Defenders: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman
Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic, Ryan Thomas
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood