The All Whites Return With History to Make
New Zealand
FIFA World Cup 2026 Team Profile
New Zealand returns to the FIFA World Cup for the third time in its history, carrying the confidence of a dominant Oceania qualifying campaign and the ambition to win a World Cup match for the first time.
After going unbeaten at South Africa 2010 with draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay, the All Whites now arrive in North America hoping to take the next step and finally reach the knockout stage.
New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup
- Confederation: OFC
- First appearance: Spain 1982
- World Cup appearances: 3
- Best result: Group Stage
- Last appearance: South Africa 2010
- Head coach: Darren Bazeley
- Nickname: The All Whites
Head Coach: Darren Bazeley
Darren Bazeley has played a major role in New Zealand football’s modern development. After coaching the national youth teams and leading the U-20 side to several knockout-stage appearances at FIFA tournaments, he became permanent senior head coach in 2023.
Under his guidance, New Zealand won the OFC title in 2024 and then produced a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign, winning all five matches.
Road to World Cup 2026
New Zealand dominated OFC qualifying after Oceania received direct access to the World Cup for the first time. The All Whites defeated Tahiti, Vanuatu and Samoa with ease, then beat Fiji 7-0 and New Caledonia 3-0 to secure qualification.
World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
- June 15: Iran vs New Zealand — Los Angeles Stadium
- June 21: New Zealand vs Egypt — BC Place Vancouver
- June 26: New Zealand vs Belgium — BC Place Vancouver
World Cup History
New Zealand first reached the World Cup at Spain 1982 after a long and demanding qualification campaign that ended with a play-off victory over China in Singapore.
The country’s most memorable tournament came in 2010, when the All Whites finished unbeaten after three draws and returned home as one of the great underdog stories of the World Cup.
Star Player: Chris Wood
Chris Wood remains New Zealand’s attacking reference point. The experienced striker brings leadership, physical presence and goalscoring pedigree to a squad aiming to create history in 2026.
World Cup Records
New Zealand has scored four goals in World Cup history, with Steve Sumner, Steve Wooddin, Winston Reid and Shane Smeltz all finding the net.
A group of 22 players share the national record for most World Cup appearances with three matches each.
Memorable World Cup Moments
Winston Reid’s 93rd-minute equalizer against Slovakia in 2010 gave New Zealand its first-ever World Cup point and remains one of the most emotional moments in All Whites history.
Just days later, Shane Smeltz scored against defending champion Italy in a famous 1-1 draw that confirmed New Zealand’s place among the tournament’s best stories.
2026 Outlook
New Zealand enters the tournament with momentum, confidence and a clear mission: earn the country’s first World Cup victory and fight for a historic place in the knockout stage.
NEW ZEALAND
Goalkeepers
- #1 Max Crocombe (Millwall, England)
- #12 Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdańsk, Poland)
- #22 Michael Woud (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Defenders
- #2 Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
- #3 Francis De Vries (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
- #4 Tyler Bindon (Sheffield United, England)
- #5 Michael Boxall (Minnesota United, United States)
- #13 Liberato Cacace (Wrexham AFC, Wales)
- #15 Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
- #16 Finn Surman (Portland Timbers, United States)
- #24 Callan Elliot (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
- #26 Tommy Smith (Braintree Town, England)
Midfielders
- #6 Joe Bell (Viking Stavanger, Norway)
- #14 Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
- #7 Matthew Garbett (Peterborough United, England)
- #8 Marko Stamenic (Swansea City, Wales)
- #23 Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle, Netherlands)
- #25 Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle United Jets, Australia)
Forwards
- #9 Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, England)
- #10 Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
- #11 Elijah Just (Motherwell, Scotland)
- #17 Kosta Barbarouses (Wanderers FC, Australia)
- #18 Ben Waine (Port Vale, England)
- #19 Ben Old (AS Saint-Étienne, France)
- #20 Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg IF, Denmark)
- #21 Jesse Randall (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Head Coach
- Darren Bazeley (New Zealand)
