Given Rogerson has come into the last couple squads off what we presume is a strong pre-season, I wonder how far away Liam Gillion would be. He looks to have scored a couple goals in their friendlies and is a player I'm big on.
Eli Just has been a mainstay for the last five years, but if he's in an uninspiring team in Austria's second tier, then the A League guys could well overtake him.
Eli Just has been a mainstay for the last five years, but if he's in an uninspiring team in Austria's second tier, then the A League guys could well overtake him.
Ditto Jesse Randall. There are a number of young Kiwis in the ALM this season, that if they have breakout campaign like Old did with the Nix - goals & assists - will be pressing Just, McCowatt & Barba for a squad spot this WC cycle.
OVH, Champness, Gillion, Randall, Rogerson & Lachlan Bayliss. Likely still too early for GSR. But by 2026 if you ain't playing at a higher level than the Austrian or Portuguese 2nd tier you won't be going to the World Cup. That even includes Sarpreet.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350435070/all-whites-squad-named-first-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifier
Centre back Finn Surman has been left out to allow him to spend a sustained period at his new Major League Soccer club, the Portland Timbers, while midfielder Joe Bell has been left out as part of an agreement with his club to manage his travel.
Forward Callum McCowatt and midfielder Sarpreet Singh aren’t present as they are only just returning from injuries, while fullback Dalton Wilkins remains sidelined.