The All Whites, Bazeley & Group G
New Zealand World Cup 2026 guide: the All Whites in Group G led by captain Chris Wood. Squad, key players, tactics, history, predictions and fan picks.
New Zealand
The All Whites · OFC · Group G
Everything at a glance
- Nickname
- The All Whites Oceania's standard-bearers
- Confederation
- OFC Oceania; dominant force in the OFC
- FIFA Ranking
- 84th Early 2026; their highest in over a decade
- Head Coach
- Darren Bazeley Englishman who guided NZ through OFC qualification
- Captain
- Chris Wood Striker, Nottingham Forest; all-time top scorer and joint record cap-holder
- World Cup Appearances
- 3rd 1982, 2010, 2026
- Best Finish
- Group stage Unbeaten in 2010 with three draws, but did not advance
- Group
- Group G Belgium, Egypt, Iran
Oceania’s standard-bearers — the romantics’ pick of Group G, with a reputation for organization, spirit, and punching above their weight.
New Zealand are Oceania’s standard-bearers and the romantics’ pick of Group G. The All Whites have qualified for only three World Cups in their history, making each appearance a genuine national event. As the dominant force in the OFC, they secured Oceania’s slot for 2026 — a region that, for the first time, has a direct qualification path to the expanded tournament.
Coached by Englishman Darren Bazeley, the squad pairs hardened European-based professionals with a new generation of talent emerging through Australian, American, and European leagues. The undisputed leader is captain Chris Wood, the Nottingham Forest striker who is New Zealand’s all-time top scorer and one of the country’s most successful footballing exports.
This is a team that knows it will be an underdog in nearly every match — and embraces it. The All Whites have built a reputation for organization, spirit, and punching above their weight on the biggest stage.
The All Whites have built a reputation for organization, spirit, and punching above their weight on the biggest stage.
The ultimate underdogs — with a famous 2010 legacy, a generational story, and the talent to pull off a shock.
New Zealand are interesting precisely because of the gulf they aim to bridge. The lowest-ranked side in Group G by some distance, they carry the underdog torch — and history shows they can rise to it. At South Africa 2010, the All Whites famously drew all three group games, including a stunning result against defending champions Italy, and left as the only unbeaten team at the tournament.
There is also a powerful generational story in 2026: Chris Wood and Tommy Smith are set to become the first New Zealanders to appear at two men’s World Cups, sixteen years after they featured as teenagers in 2010. Add in rising talents like Marko Stamenic — tipped as having the highest ceiling of any Kiwi in recent memory — and the All Whites are a fascinating blend of nostalgia and emerging promise.
Clear underdogs in every fixture — but a single famous result and the expanded format could keep them alive longer than expected.
Expectations are tempered by realism. Belgium, Egypt, and Iran are all significantly higher-ranked, and New Zealand will be underdogs in every group fixture. The honest baseline goal is to be competitive, avoid heavy defeats, and chase a famous result.
The ceiling and the dream
The expanded 48-team format means a single shock win — and the right results elsewhere — could keep the All Whites alive longer than expected. Repeating the unbeaten spirit of 2010 would be a triumph; claiming a first-ever World Cup victory (they have never won a World Cup match) would be historic. Anything beyond the group stage would rank among the greatest moments in New Zealand sporting history.
Bazeley’s squad
Likely starters marked (*). Based on the named 26-man squad; lineups subject to form and fitness.
Goalkeepers
3- Max Crocombe
- Alex Paulsen
- Michael Woud
Defenders
9- Tyler Bindon
- Michael Boxall
- Liberato Cacace
- Francis de Vries
- Callan Elliot
- Tim Payne
- Nando Pijnaker
- Tommy Smith
- Finn Surman
Midfielders
10- Lachlan Bayliss
- Joe Bell
- Matt Garbett
- Eli Just
- Callum McCowatt
- Ben Old
- Alex Rufer
- Marko Stamenic
- Sarpreet Singh
- Ryan Thomas
Forwards
4- Kosta Barbarouses
- Jesse Randall
- Ben Waine
- Chris Wood
Additional attacking and wide options named in the 26-man squad should be confirmed against the official New Zealand Football announcement. Exact final positions and any late changes subject to verification.
The names that decide it
A powerful, intelligent center-forward and clinical Premier League finisher. New Zealand’s captain, all-time top scorer (45+ goals), and joint record cap-holder. Importance: total — he is the team’s focal point and main goal threat. Fun fact: he scored nine goals in qualifying, more than twice the next-best Kiwi.
A dynamic, technically gifted central midfielder widely regarded as having the highest ceiling of any current New Zealand player. Importance: drives the team’s progression and energy in midfield. Fun fact: tipped as the long-term face of All Whites football.
A composed, classy passer who controls tempo and links play. Importance: the team’s metronome and one of its best pure footballers. Fun fact: praised as playing “sublime” football for the All Whites.
An attacking full-back with European experience, providing width and overlapping runs. Importance: balances defensive duties with offensive thrust down the left. Fun fact: among the most established European-based members of the squad.
A young, athletic center-back representing New Zealand’s next defensive generation. Importance: anchors the back line against elite forwards. Fun fact: emerged as a key defensive figure in the build-up to 2026.
Breakout Player
Ben Old is the attacking talent who could light up New Zealand’s campaign. A direct, creative forward/winger with flair in the final third, he offers the All Whites a spark beyond Chris Wood’s hold-up play. If New Zealand are to manufacture a famous moment, Old’s ability to beat a man and create could be the key. (Exact role and minutes unverified.)
Most Underrated Player
Michael Boxall is the steady, no-nonsense defender who rarely gets headlines but is vital to New Zealand’s structure. An experienced, MLS-hardened center-back, he organizes the back line, wins his duels, and provides the calm leadership that lets the All Whites stay compact against superior attacks. His reliability is the foundation of any upset they might pull off.
Pragmatic and disciplined — built to frustrate superior sides, exploit set pieces, and live or die by Chris Wood.
Darren Bazeley’s New Zealand are pragmatic and disciplined, built to compete against stronger sides. Expect a compact defensive shape — often a 4-4-2, 4-5-1, or 5-4-1 depending on the opponent — that prioritizes organization, deep defending, and minimizing space.
The game plan typically revolves around frustrating opponents, staying in matches, and exploiting set pieces and direct play to Chris Wood. With Wood’s aerial strength and clinical finishing, crosses and second balls are a genuine route to goal. In midfield, Bell and Stamenic provide the quality to retain possession when chances arise. The All Whites will rarely dominate the ball — their identity is resilience, work rate, and making the most of limited chances, exactly as they did in 2010.
By the numbers
Attack: Chris Wood is a real Premier League threat, but support is limited.
Midfield: Bell and Stamenic offer genuine quality in an otherwise workmanlike unit.
Defense: Organized and committed, but will be stretched by elite forwards.
Goalkeeping: Capable options, though untested at this level.
Depth: Thin behind the first XI compared to group rivals.
Experience: Wood, Smith, and Boxall bring valuable big-game know-how.
Three appearances — a debut in 1982, an iconic unbeaten run in 2010, and still to win a match.
New Zealand’s World Cup history is brief but cherished. Their debut came at Spain 1982, where they lost all three group games to Scotland, the Soviet Union, and Brazil but won admirers for their effort against far stronger opposition.
The All Whites then waited 28 years to return, and South Africa 2010 became the defining chapter of their football story. Drawn with Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay, New Zealand drew all three matches — including a famous 1-1 result against reigning world champions Italy. They were eliminated on goal difference but departed as the only unbeaten team in the entire tournament, a feat that remains a source of immense national pride.
The 2026 finals mark their third appearance and first since 2010. Notably, New Zealand have still never won a match at a World Cup — a record they will be desperate to change.
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1982
World Cup debut — lost all three but won admirers
New Zealand made their debut at Spain 1982, losing to Scotland, the Soviet Union, and Brazil, but winning admirers for their effort against far stronger opposition.
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2010
Iconic unbeaten run — drew all three, including Italy
South Africa 2010 became the defining chapter: New Zealand drew all three group games including a famous 1-1 against defending champions Italy, and departed as the only unbeaten team in the entire tournament.
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2026
Third appearance — first since 2010, chasing a first-ever win
New Zealand return for only their third World Cup and first since 2010. They have still never won a match at a World Cup — a record they will be desperate to change.
The only unbeaten team at 2010, a Premier League golden boot contender, and still chasing a first World Cup win
New Zealand were the only unbeaten team at the entire 2010 World Cup (three draws)
New Zealand were the only unbeaten team at the entire 2010 World Cup (three draws).
They held defending champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in 2010
They held defending champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in 2010.
New Zealand have never won a match at a World Cup — yet
New Zealand have never won a match at a World Cup — yet.
Chris Wood and Tommy Smith are set to become the first Kiwis to play at two men’s World Cups, 16 years apart
Chris Wood and Tommy Smith are set to become the first Kiwis to play at two men’s World Cups, 16 years apart.
Captain Chris Wood is New Zealand’s all-time top scorer with 45+ international goals
Captain Chris Wood is New Zealand’s all-time top scorer with 45+ international goals.
Wood scored nine times in 2026 qualifying — more than double the next-best Kiwi
Wood scored nine times in 2026 qualifying — more than double the next-best Kiwi.
New Zealand are the dominant force in the Oceania Football Confederation
New Zealand are the dominant force in the Oceania Football Confederation.
2026 is only their third World Cup appearance (1982, 2010, 2026)
2026 is only their third World Cup appearance (1982, 2010, 2026).
The team the whole world roots for — underdogs with a legendary story and a first-ever World Cup win within reach.
- The ultimate underdogs — New Zealand are the team everyone loves to see cause an upset.
- Chris Wood — a Premier League striker leading his country one last time at a World Cup.
- The 2010 legacy — can the All Whites recapture their unbeaten magic?
- A first-ever World Cup win — history could be made at any moment.
Clear underdogs facing a group-stage exit — but a first-ever World Cup win is the realistic dream, and recapturing 2010’s unbeaten magic the fairy-tale ceiling.
New Zealand are the clear underdogs of Group G and will struggle against Belgium, Egypt, and Iran on paper. The most likely outcome is a group-stage exit. But the All Whites’ organization and Chris Wood’s quality make them dangerous in a one-off match, and the expanded format means a single famous result could keep their hopes flickering. A first-ever World Cup win — perhaps against Egypt or Iran — is the realistic dream. Recapturing the unbeaten spirit of 2010 would be the fairy-tale ceiling.
