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2026 All Whites' World Cup Squad

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about 2 months ago

Jamdogg wrote:
I'm a little surprised no one is calling Kosta a question mark?

He's been bang average this season and do we really need 3 strikers? When we only play with one, Garbett can cover this spot at a stretch too.

He was very good in the last All Whites game. Up to that point, he was possibly a little on the edge because of his club form.

I think Smith should be taken as a staff member, but effectively train and act like the 27th member of the squad. It just needs to be made clear to the players, he will have no active role in management decisions, outside his influence as a player/leader within the group.

I imagine Smiths club team are begging him to get selected as a player, the club windfall would be massive for a small club like theirs!

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about 2 months ago

MetalLegNZ wrote:
Jamdogg wrote:
I'm a little surprised no one is calling Kosta a question mark?

He's been bang average this season and do we really need 3 strikers? When we only play with one, Garbett can cover this spot at a stretch too.
He was very good in the last All Whites game. Up to that point, he was possibly a little on the edge because of his club form.

I think Smith should be taken as a staff member, but effectively train and act like the 27th member of the squad. It just needs to be made clear to the players, he will have no active role in management decisions, outside his influence as a player/leader within the group.

I imagine Smiths club team are begging him to get selected as a player, the club windfall would be massive for a small club like theirs!

A potential issue there- how much of a cut of the FIFA millions does he get then?

Kosta linked the young guys running riot for our first (?) win over South American opposition, so has to go. He was poor for club and not great deputising for Wood previously, but had a great game and we got a lot of our lads- Just, Bell, Randall etc- synching on attack.

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about 2 months ago

Jamdogg wrote:
I'm a little surprised no one is calling Kosta a question mark?

He's been bang average this season and do we really need 3 strikers? When we only play with one, Garbett can cover this spot at a stretch too.

Three strikers is standard for tournament football, even when there were 23 man squads. If Wood gets injured you still need a starter and a sub. I suppose some might say McCowatt and Randall, but they're not really 9s (although is Waineo either at this point?). NZF needs a young 9 to develop asap.

Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.

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about 2 months ago

Would hope it is Tuiloma over Smith. Offers more versatility and is also good to chuck on if we are chasing a goal as he can score in the air.

Plus another $250kUSD club compensation payment wouldn't hurt the nix either!

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about 2 months ago

Hot take I saw on twitter was Piper making the squad... He is probably too raw for International football and will lack the first touch but can kinda see how he'd offer more than Waine off the bench in the last 10 minutes of a game chasing a goal, with him and Wood up top to causing some havoc, being physical and winning headers.

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about 2 months ago

That would be a true bolter from Baz!

Auckland will rise once more

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

Luke Brook-Smith is the obvious bolter for bench impact.

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about 2 months ago

Two for every position would look close to this based on selections over the last 12 months and ignoring largely injury comebacks and form.

22 + 3rd goalkeeper + 3 bonus.

Let's you take both Waine and Barbarouses plus two more in grey.

Recently or coming back from injury:
Wood, Garbett, Singh, Cacace

Supporting the supporters and love an away day anywhere in the world. Kiwis Can Fly!

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about 2 months ago

My picks.

Two in every position for a 4-2-3-1 + GK + 3 extra

GK - Paulsen, Crocombe, Woud
LB - Cacace, De Vries
RB - Payne, Elliot
CB - Surman, Boxall, Bindon, Pijnaker
DMF - Stamenic, Bell, Thomas, Rufer
AMF - Just, Singh, McCowatt, Old, Randell, Garbett
S - Wood, Waine

Extras - Tuiloma, Barbarouses, Sheridan

Standby - Tsanev, Mcgarry, Roux, Hughes, Howieson, Bayliss, LBS.

I think you need to take a 5th CB as they are most likely to suffer DOGSO and you want to make sure you have the extra cover if you need to go 3CB in last 10 minutes. Smith isn't better than the 5 I listed, also Pijnaker and Tuiloma are good long passers. Smith may have a job picking up cones and sitting next to Wood on the bus and at dinner.

I think you need both Waine and Barabouses to both cover Wood and provide different types of attacker.

Sheridan because he can cover a lot of positions and can fill many spots in opposed training.

I am a little worried about LB. Cacace hasn't played much and De Vries, in the minutes against Adelaide I thought shied away from kicking the ball with any power, but Old appears to be doing a decent job at LB so he can cover LB. If both Cacace and de Vries are ruled out, then Old and Mcgarry are your LB

As tempting as taking LBS, I just don't see how he gets on the pitch, the other attacking midfields and strikers get on ahead of him. England took Walcott when he was 17 and were too scared to play him when they needed someone and Defoe was at home.

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about 2 months ago

Bayliss is in.

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ni+1

about 2 months ago

Bahaha loving the Elmeno P player video

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.

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about 2 months ago

kwlap wrote:
Bahaha loving the Elmeno P player video

Apart from the last name. Billy T incredibly unlucky.

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about 2 months ago

Thomas, smith and Woud are in

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.

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about 2 months ago

I think Hughes and Billy are better than Smith. Still think it's a waste taking him

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

A funky video to distract folk from Smith's selection.

Selwyn United Stallions feature.

OPP & Tuiloma the obvious unlucky ones.

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2054701138352738474
Introducing the squad to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup 2026 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/CiHjKx56Bw
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) May 13, 2026

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

Who’s in, who’s out: All Whites’ squad named for 2026 FIFA World Cup

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360967870/whos-whos-out-all-whites-squad-named-2026-fifa-world-cup

1: Max Crocombe (22/0) Millwall FC, England

2: Tim Payne (50/3) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

3: Francis De Vries (18/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand

4: Tyler Bindon (23/3) Nottingham Forest, England

5: Michael Boxall (61/1) Minnesota United. USA

6: Joe Bell (31/1) Viking FK, Norway

7: Matt Garbett (36/5) Peterborough United, England

8: Marko Stamenić (37/3) Swansea City, Wales

9: Chris Wood (88/45) Nottingham Forest, England

10: Sarpreet Singh (26/3) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

11: Eli Just (42/9) Motherwell FC, Scotland

12: Alex Paulsen (6/0) Lechia Gdańsk, Poland

13: Liberato Cacace (35/1) Wrexham AFC, Wales

14: Alex Rufer (24/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

15: Nando Pijnaker (23/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand

16: Finn Surman (17/2) Portland Timbers, USA

17: Kosta Barbarouses (74/10) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia

18: Ben Waine (30/9) Port Vale, England

19: Ben Old (22/2) Saint-Étienne, France

20: Callum McCowatt (30/4) Silkeborg, Denmark

21: Jesse Randall (9/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand

22: Michael Woud (6/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand

23: Ryan Thomas (25/3) PEC Zwolle, The Netherlands

24: Callan Elliot (9/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand

25: Lachlan Bayliss (2/0) Newcastle Jets, Australia

26: Tommy Smith (56/2) Braintree Town, England

I'm an optimistic pessimist.

I'm positive things will go wrong.

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

So fitting that Smiths video clip was a cup of coffee. Having coffees will be his job.

Cultural architect - Jesus H Christ,

Only one contracted Nix player for next season if Rufs and Singh are off, so not much FIFA money coming their way.

4 for AFC, maybe 5 if Bayliss makes the move.

Auckland will rise once more

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

Bazeley going and talking about Kiwi players playing in great leagues around the world, but then goes and selects Tommy Smith of Braintree Town, the super power just relegated from the National League...

Good squad up until that last name.
For mine the Smith selection, well I'm just annoyed really. I sat watching and just yelled "oh fuck off" at the tv as his name popped up.

It really does just leave a bit of a sour taste, and reeks of nepotism and jobs for the boys.

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about 2 months ago

Really feel for Tuiloma. I wonder how appreciated Smith's influence really is within the squad, is he really universally popular, or is it just Chris wanting his mate there and Baze enjoying having a compatriot around (face it they're both English). Also wonder whether some of Bill's mates in the team might resent Tommy's presence at his expense.

Can easily imagine a situation where both geriatric Boxall and made of glass Payne go down injured in a warmup game or vs Iran and this call suddenly looking very stupid.

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about 2 months ago

Tommy Smith seems to be the 'personality hire/vibes merchant' of the squad selection. (This is usually reserved for the 3rd GK which Michael Woud definitely doesn't fit this description!) I understand bringing Tommy from a leadership perspective, but probably should have brought him in as extra staff, a couple of injuries and he might have to play! Would rather either Hughes or Tuiloma be on the pitch than Tommy Smith these days.

Apart from that no other notes on the squad.

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about 2 months ago

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about 2 months ago

He is going to go to two World Cups and has played 0 total minutes in the two qualifcation campaigns. Excellent grifting.

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

Bill Tuiloma probably was better off staying at a MLS club and being a bench option to make the squad. AFC probably passed on him too.

For all the people crying about Smith (see Jordan Henderson), you could say the same about an older Kosta Barbarouses.

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about 2 months ago

He is going to earn about $250,000 for going after playing 17 games for a National League 5th Tier team that got relegated.

I'm an optimistic pessimist.

I'm positive things will go wrong.

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about 2 months ago

Had to stop watching as soon as the announcement video stopped so unsure what is being spoken about, but would really hope they're grilled by the journos for it.

In a side where we have experienced players already - Wood, Boxall, Kosta - why the hell is Smith even worth discussing? If we need someone to be the jokester we can just chuck Payney in a golfcart. Why have more centre back and right back depth when you can take a motivational speaker instead. Fucks sake.

Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.

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about 2 months ago

Not Contracted, but seems the Nix will still get some FIFA compensation dosh for Singh.

AI

Yes, loan clubs (the temporary club) generally qualify for FIFA World Cup club reimbursements, alongside the parent club. Under the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, compensation is distributed to all clubs a player was registered with during the two years prior to the final tournament. [1, 2, 3]

Here is how the reimbursement works for loaned players:

Shared Payout: The total payment for a player is divided based on the number of days they were registered with different clubs during the qualifying phase and the final tournament.

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about 2 months ago

Yakcall wrote:
He is going to earn about $250,000 for going after playing 17 games for a National League 5th Tier team that got relegated.

Also his fifth tier team is going to pickup a cool $11k per day that he's there, Domey must be spitting tacks!

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about 2 months ago

also when 5 or 6 players don't get game time at the end of our pool games, please send your apologies to Tommy Smith.

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

YoungHeartHM wrote:
Bazeley going and talking about Kiwi players playing in great leagues around the world, but then goes and selects Tommy Smith of Braintree Town, the super power just relegated from the National League...

Good squad up until that last name.
For mine the Smith selection, well I'm just annoyed really. I sat watching and just yelled "oh fuck off" at the tv as his name popped up.

It really does leave a bit of a sour taste, and reeks of nepotism and jobs for the boys.

Its an utter embarrassment. Should be feeling elation that we've got a WC squad but all I can feel is disappointment and a complete lack of faith in Darren Bazeley's abilities as a coach.

We have 3 CBs not selected all clearly better footballers than him. I'm actually disgusted.

Valley FC til I die?

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KiYe+1

about 2 months ago

Jazzy Jeff wrote:
Had to stop watching as soon as the announcement video stopped so unsure what is being spoken about, but would really hope they're grilled by the journos for it.

In a side where we have experienced players already - Wood, Boxall, Kosta - why the hell is Smith even worth discussing? If we need someone to be the jokester we can just chuck Payney in a golfcart. Why have more centre back and right back depth when you can take a motivational speaker instead. Fucks sake.

why the hell is kosta going, oh ex nix player - good. smith ex afc player - bad.

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

observerfromuh wrote:
also when 5 or 6 players don't get game time at the end of our pool games, please send your apologies to Tommy Smith.

Why? It doesn't change the fact that he's still taking a spot from a more deserving player who would get a significant personal windfall when all he's going as is a coach.

The cultural architect angle simply doesn't stack up. Especially when you're taking a net negative locker room guy like Woud in the role that normally goes to a well liked older head.

Valley FC til I die?

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about 2 months ago

I understand the benefits of having experience in the dressing room but is our team really that inexperienced and young that we need a player like that?

Sure the 5th CB might not get any game time but this is still the Word Cup for gods sake, you never know what might happen during the tournament. Players shouldn’t get handouts, it should be the best of the best going. Tuiloma aside, even Stanger should’ve been more in the running than Smith regardless of national team experience.

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brJa

about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

and observerfromuh wrote:
Jazzy Jeff wrote:
Had to stop watching as soon as the announcement video stopped so unsure what is being spoken about, but would really hope they're grilled by the journos for it.

In a side where we have experienced players already - Wood, Boxall, Kosta - why the hell is Smith even worth discussing? If we need someone to be the jokester we can just chuck Payney in a golfcart. Why have more centre back and right back depth when you can take a motivational speaker instead. Fucks sake.
why the hell is kosta going, oh ex nix player - good. smith ex afc player - bad.

Its not a Nix vs AFC thing, Kosta at least played in our last All White games and played well for that matter, Smith hasn't played for All Whites since September 2024.

I'm an optimistic pessimist.

I'm positive things will go wrong.

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about 2 months ago

observerfromuh wrote:
Jazzy Jeff wrote:
Had to stop watching as soon as the announcement video stopped so unsure what is being spoken about, but would really hope they're grilled by the journos for it.

In a side where we have experienced players already - Wood, Boxall, Kosta - why the hell is Smith even worth discussing? If we need someone to be the jokester we can just chuck Payney in a golfcart. Why have more centre back and right back depth when you can take a motivational speaker instead. Fucks sake.
why the hell is kosta going, oh ex nix player - good. smith ex afc player - bad.

By all means, name me any of the strikers we have available that are better than Kosta who haven't been picked.

It's entirely different, and you know it. Kosta is still playing at the professional level for one, and has played fairly well for the all whites recently.

Smith is at BEST the 8th best centre back we have. He should be nowhere near it. Nothing to do with AFC vs Nix. I'm Nix through and through, but we all wear white. I'm happy Randall and Pijnaker are in personally.

Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.

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about 2 months ago

observerfromuh wrote:
Jazzy Jeff wrote:
Had to stop watching as soon as the announcement video stopped so unsure what is being spoken about, but would really hope they're grilled by the journos for it.

In a side where we have experienced players already - Wood, Boxall, Kosta - why the hell is Smith even worth discussing? If we need someone to be the jokester we can just chuck Payney in a golfcart. Why have more centre back and right back depth when you can take a motivational speaker instead. Fucks sake.
why the hell is kosta going, oh ex nix player - good. smith ex afc player - bad.

What are the options instead of Kosta? Piper? Mata? There's a few players playing well at a higher level than Smith and contributed to the team's qualification.

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about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History

observerfromuh wrote:
Jazzy Jeff wrote:
Had to stop watching as soon as the announcement video stopped so unsure what is being spoken about, but would really hope they're grilled by the journos for it.

In a side where we have experienced players already - Wood, Boxall, Kosta - why the hell is Smith even worth discussing? If we need someone to be the jokester we can just chuck Payney in a golfcart. Why have more centre back and right back depth when you can take a motivational speaker instead. Fucks sake.
why the hell is kosta going, oh ex nix player - good. smith ex afc player - bad.

What a bizarre take. I don't recall Smith playing and scoring in New Zealand's last full international a couple of months ago.
Edit: Oh, I see I'm not alone in the pile-on. Shouldn't have fed the troll.

I know, I know, its serious!

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about 2 months ago

2ndBest wrote:
He is going to go to two World Cups and has played 0 total minutes in the two qualifcation campaigns. Excellent grifting.

How much guaranteed cash is that?

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about 2 months ago

Bullion wrote:
observerfromuh wrote:
Jazzy Jeff wrote:
Had to stop watching as soon as the announcement video stopped so unsure what is being spoken about, but would really hope they're grilled by the journos for it.

In a side where we have experienced players already - Wood, Boxall, Kosta - why the hell is Smith even worth discussing? If we need someone to be the jokester we can just chuck Payney in a golfcart. Why have more centre back and right back depth when you can take a motivational speaker instead. Fucks sake.
why the hell is kosta going, oh ex nix player - good. smith ex afc player - bad.

What are the options instead of Kosta? Piper? Mata? There's a few players playing well at a higher level than Smith and contributed to the team's qualification.

Piper scored just as many goals in the league this season.

You're complaining about Smith taking money for a club from his spot, but Kosta has done the same.

Yes he played well last game in a friendly against Chile who probably didn't care about those NZ games.

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about 2 months ago

observerfromuh wrote:
Jazzy Jeff wrote:
Had to stop watching as soon as the announcement video stopped so unsure what is being spoken about, but would really hope they're grilled by the journos for it.

In a side where we have experienced players already - Wood, Boxall, Kosta - why the hell is Smith even worth discussing? If we need someone to be the jokester we can just chuck Payney in a golfcart. Why have more centre back and right back depth when you can take a motivational speaker instead. Fucks sake.
why the hell is kosta going, oh ex nix player - good. smith ex afc player - bad.

Hardly the same thing is it? Kosta played regularly for his club all year and has turned out in All White's qualifying and friendly windows. Kosta is clearly still up there for players in his position. You could name at least 4 players more worthy than Tommy Smith as back up centre back.

To suggest our reactions are as reductive as Nix (good), AFC (bad) is ridiculous. I'm a Nix fan but absolutely made up for De Vries and Elliot who definitely deserve their spots. Woud ... less so, but it was a close race for 3rd keeper I guess.

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