New Zealand Unveils 26-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup

On May 14, head coach Darren Bazeley announced the 26-player roster that will represent New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup. The most notable inclusion is Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood. Despite an injury-plagued season that kept him from a full campaign, the veteran forward, born in 1991, retains the confidence of the coaching staff and will captain the side.

Chris Wood has been chosen to lead the New Zealand team at the 2026 World Cup

Wood, alongside defender Tommy Smith, will become the first New Zealand men to feature in two separate World Cup tournaments. Both players previously competed in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

At 36 years old, Tommy Smith has earned his first national team call-up since late 2024. The defender, who currently plays for Braintree Town, is viewed as a vital injection of experience for the New Zealand backline.

Coach Bazeley acknowledged the difficulty of finalizing the roster. Over the past 15 months, 40 different players have taken the pitch for the national team, with a wider pool of more than 50 names under consideration.

"To be named in a World Cup squad is the dream of every player. We've been preparing for this moment for many years," Bazeley stated.

For the 2026 World Cup, New Zealand has been drawn into Group G, where they will face Belgium, Iran, and Egypt. According to current FIFA rankings, New Zealand sits at 85th in the world, making them the lowest-rated team in their group.

Despite this, Bazeley insists the team's objective is to advance past the group stage for the first time in their history. "The time for debate is over. We have to go to the tournament and strive to make history for New Zealand," he added.

In a video message sent to fans from England, Chris Wood also expressed his excitement ahead of the world's biggest football tournament. "I hope we will make the entire country proud and show the world what New Zealand is capable of," the Nottingham Forest striker shared.