The final 26 Panel for WC. PEOPLE'S PICK

Would definitely like to see an updated Piney top 50, and maybe AV doing one separately to see how similar they are. But agree there is a core group of starters and a few others that are locked in and it’s back up positions still up for grabs.
I’m just loving all the football right now and getting to chat about it, seeing different views and how other people see players compared to me. 

Oska

imanixsupporter

Maybe the bulk of the squad is already picked, but still plenty of uncertainties, especially as we do not even know the squad size yet. 

For me, here is who is on the plane if fit:

GK (2)
Paulsen
Crocombe

DEF (6)
Payne 
Boxall
Surman
Bindon
Cacace
FdV

DM (3)
Stamenic
Thomas
Bell

AM (4):
Just
Singh
McCowatt
Garbett

ST (1)
Wood

That is 16 total, 7 spots left if it is to be a 23 man squad. I think there is serious question marks about everybody else if it is only going to be a squad of 23.

If it is to be 26 then I think you can basically put Tuiloma, Pijnaker, Stanger, Rufer, Old & Kosta on the plane too. Would still leave 4 spots in that scenario, one of which would be a backup keeper, so only 3 more outfield spots for the likes of Waine, Rogerson, Randall, OPP, LBS, Wilkins, de Jong, Mata, Elliot, LKH...

No matter what there are going to be some tough calls to be made by Baze and some very disappointed players when the final squad is announced. 

Agree with all of that, except I think Old is also locked in if fit, and I don't think Stanger is a lock even with a 26-man squad.  He's not yet debuted and is probably around 6th choice CB at this stage. 

Others in the list of maybes (excluding 3rd choice GKs) IMO are Elliot, Roux, Kirwan, Smith, McGarry, Sutton, Dibley-Dias and Gibson. 

Of those I reckon Gibson is the most likely to make it, if he remains the only other eligible striker scoring goals over the next 6 months, and is willing to spurn Aus. 

The others are probably relying on injuries, although the 2nd RB spot could go to any of Wilkins, Tuiloma, Elliot, Roux and Kirwan depending on who's playing regularly and in-form. 

Think it was AV who posted on here somewhere that from his understanding Gibson is as open as ever to play for us but took the opportunity (Aussie U23 squad) while it was there.

If that's the case, he will have competition for striker spots behind Wood from Randall, Kosta, Waineo, Mata. Bazeley also has the option of playing McCowatt as a 9.

Waineo needs to leave PV ASAP. It was good to see him doing well this window having not had any game time or made a matchday squad for PV for a while now. Meanwhile sounds like Mata could be in talks with a club.

Seen some posts this morning (credit to flying kiwis) that fifa are looking at 30 man squads for World Cup, if that includes this World Cup then it would mean pretty much all our guys could go who we have discussed. Also the 26 man squads at last WC was due to covid, I’m going to assume the 30 man is because teams that get further into the competition will be playing more games? Or maybe this squad size could be for 2030 as it looks like fifa are investigating a 64 team World Cup for then

YellowAndBlack

Seen some posts this morning (credit to flying kiwis) that fifa are looking at 30 man squads for World Cup, if that includes this World Cup then it would mean pretty much all our guys could go who we have discussed. Also the 26 man squads at last WC was due to covid, I’m going to assume the 30 man is because teams that get further into the competition will be playing more games? Or maybe this squad size could be for 2030 as it looks like fifa are investigating a 64 team World Cup for then

Travel between 3 large Nth American countries with the different time zones has been given as one reason for larger squads, plus yes you have the extra round of 32.

So when was the last time that Chris Wood could be relied upon to play decent minutes across 2 games in a window AND didn't pick up an injury during that same window?

I remember saying on this forum a couple years back, before Wood's amazing Forest renaissance, that I wished Wood would find an easier level (the A-League would have been particularly nice) because his body was not holding up to the demands of international football + Premier League, and I thought he had probably achieved all he was going to acheive at that level, and it would be nice for him to be able to give his best for the All Whites for this World Cup cycle.

Now I was clearly proven wrong about him having acheived all he could acheive but my concerns linger. What good is it having Wood up front for us if he can't sprint much and can't play more than 60 minutes and keeps getting injured? If we don't get a Wood in full fitness in November then Baze should be seriously wondering if we need to have an incredibly ready Plan B that does not feature him at all. 

I think back to the OFC qualifying finals window. We were 5-0 up at half time against Fiji and we didn't sub Chris, he was kept on until the 80th minute, and then he got injured midway through against NC. I remember thinking at half time in the Fiji game - get Chris off! And I hate having to think this way, being paranoid about our best player always being on the precipice of injury.  

You will likely have your wish for the 2030 WC cycle. Even at 38 and in the Championship, MLS, ALM or wherever he will still be NZ’s best striker

Apparently he’s said he’d like to play through to that WC. Playing the 2029/30 season at Auckland he could manage his body, maybe missing the odd travel game in Aussie, and still be a 10 goal plus scorer in the ALM

Re next year he’ll be okay. He will have about a 3 week break between EPL season finishing and first WC game. Rest the body. You don’t get that with the short FIFA windows esp if they include the long trip to NZ to play

Conversely, perhaps not as much as Boxall who has been zippy and tough,  after the Forest preseasons Wood has been in perhaps some of the best physical condition of his career and that’s definitely helped his late career renaissance. Playing at a lower intensity might help or it might mean he’d never get up to that PL fitness again. 

Plus Woodsy has Forest roots now right? May wish to stay there as long as he can…

Man, I’ve got to get myself in condition to make sure I can still drink a pint and watch him in 2030 if he’s going to be around then! And there’s no guarantees that AFC will last to 2029 😄. Especially if Hay struggles after replacing Corica…But yeh that timeline could work.

A very good reply by Max after being dropped as the #1 for our last games, hopefully he gets a few more (preferably a lot more) games for millwall, but more importantly we’ve got two great keepers I’m no longer fussed about who gets the start ahead of the other.

Ben Gibson with a goal tonight for the jets. No idea how he played... but we need more striker options.

Hes looked pretty good so far. Still half an hour left too.

And Randall with a nice goal tonight. Those fringe guys are pushing for spots...

It'd be awesome if one of them had a huge year..

This is our top team if everyone is fit.  I don't think there will be many debates.

Paulsen

Payne, Boxall, Surman, Cacace

 Thomas, Bell, Marko

Singh, McCowatt/Just

Wood

I'd argue Crocombe starts now.. kept NZ in it against Ecuador & Colombia

Elemenop

This is our top team if everyone is fit.  I don't think there will be many debates.

Paulsen

Payne, Boxall, Surman, Cacace

 Thomas, Bell, Marko

Singh, McCowatt/Just

Wood

Elemenop

This is our top team if everyone is fit.  I don't think there will be many debates.

Paulsen

Payne, Boxall, Surman, Cacace

 Thomas, Bell, Marko

Singh, McCowatt/Just

Wood

Way too early this far out to say who will be in goal at the WC.

Crocs is going to be under pressure maybe all season long at Millwall to keep his starting spot. A few mixed performance club games and a fit Jensen could see Crocombe back on the pine until the Championship season finishes in May.

That happens and Paulsen (who seems set in stone as no 1 at Lechia) could start both AWs games next March, and then go into the WC as the starter.

It's Crocombe/Paulsen at the the moment, what is happening at their European clubs in 2026 the big factor. Not a bad competitive situation at all. Certainly better than 12 months ago with one stuck in the ALM an extra season, and the other at a battling League One club.

If Crocombe keeps his spot at Milwall, and doesnt blunder in goal for us before the tournament, it is his. Why would you gamble on the far less experienced Paulsen, who will get plenty more chances in the future. 

We learnt almost nothing from this window in terms of who will be making the World Cup squad. Biggest lesson is that Tuiloma is clearly #2 in the RB pecking order and it is up to Elliott to usurp him as Roux probably won't. Tuiloma really needs a good move in January, as does Waine, to retain their places in the squad hierarchy though. 

Second biggest lesson is that Kosta will be the preferred Wood alternative and that Randall has probably left his run too late to figure prominently in Baze's plans. 

I think we learnt of a few players who won't be on the plane, if it's a 23 man squad and everyone is fit and available.

Definitely won't be picked - ADJ with zero mins on this tour
Long shots - Tzanev, Stanger, McGarry, Roux and OPP
Needs a huge ALM season - Randall
Needs a new club - Waine
Shouldn't be picked but might still be - Tommy Smith

The guys who missed this tour replace them.
Paulsen, Pijnaker, Libby, Payne, Thomas, McCowatt and Wood

Of course if it becomes 26 player squads, and/or some injury unavailablities that changes.

coochiee

I think we learnt of a few players who won't be on the plane, if it's a 23 man squad and everyone is fit and available.

Definitely won't be picked - ADJ with zero mins on this tour
Long shots - Tzanev, Stanger, McGarry, Roux and OPP
Needs a huge ALM season - Randall
Needs a new club - Waine
Shouldn't be picked but might still be - Tommy Smith

The guys who missed this tour replace them.
Paulsen, Pijnaker, Libby, Payne, Thomas, McCowatt and Wood

Of course if it becomes 26 player squads, and/or some injury unavailablities that changes.

 Yeah we can add Smith for the 'vibes'

Think you are preety much right but I think Nando verses Stanger, may go the other way.

Thinking that Stanger may continue to play SPL and Nando may struggle to keep his A league spot with two high quality Australian centre defenders as competition.

I went Nando as he has lots of big game international experience with the AWs, and he's left sided. So removes one of Baze's agruments to keep similarly left footed Smith.

But yeah if it's a 26 man squad it's both Pijnaker & Stanger as 4th & 5th CBs.
Tuiloma is now primarily a RB both at Charlotte and with the AWs. 
Smith should be part of the coaching staff.

Isn't Girdwood-Reich returning to his MLS club in January ie only at Auckland on short term loan?

Sorry, but who is ADJ?

Mainland FC

Sorry, but who is ADJ?

Andre De Jong

think it’s a year loan but the parent club has an option to take him back if they choose in Jan

coochiee

I went Nando as he has lots of big game international experience with the AWs, and he's left sided. So removes one of Baze's agruments to keep similarly left footed Smith.

But yeah if it's a 26 man squad it's both Pijnaker & Stanger as 4th & 5th CBs.
Tuiloma is now primarily a RB both at Charlotte and with the AWs. 
Smith should be part of the coaching staff.

Isn't Girdwood-Reich returning to his MLS club in January ie only at Auckland on short term loan?

I'd say in a 23 man squad you are deciding between a 3rd forward (when some of our mids could cover) or a 3rd RB.

   | PAULSEN  | CROC  | SIMS
 | BOXALL  | PIJANKER  |
 | SURMAN  | BINDON  |
 | CACACE  | FDV  |
 | PAYNE  | TUILMONA  | ELLIOT
| BELL  | RUFER  |
| STAMENIC  |   |
| MCCOWATT  | JUST  |
| THOMAS  | GARBETT  |
| SINGH  | OLD  |
| WOOD  | KOSTA  | WAINE

With 26 i think both go, and then you look to take Stanger and maybe Rogerson/Randall. 

I hope I counted right...

I don't want to see Tuiloma or Waine picked if they continue to not be playing for the rest of the season. Tuiloma wasn't fit enough this window and Waine does not deserve a spot given his recent AWs performances and total lack of club games. I am hoping they get decent moves in January. 

Elemenop

This is our top team if everyone is fit.  I don't think there will be many debates.

Paulsen

Payne, Boxall, Surman, Cacace

 Thomas, Bell, Marko

Singh, McCowatt/Just

Wood

I think Garbett has a better record of creating/scoring for the AWs against decent opposition.  I'd start him over McCowatt or Just.

The difference between Tuiloma and Waine is one has a lot of experience and the other doesn’t. 

Like it or not, Tuiloma did a job against these opponents. For mine he’s clearly second choice on the pecking order. Roux is match fit, plays every week and yet, despite his qualities going forward that we didn’t see used so much, he was mercilessly exposed when the focused on his side straight after the break. 

Tuiloma has MLS experience, big club experience and play off experience. He’s a senior pro with good technique who can score with his head or from a dead ball. 

No doubt he could fitter, but I think he’s shown enough defensively to claim second spot at RB. 

Waine I got crook on. Needs to be playing, and perhaps needs to be less of a jack of all trades. Think you’re right there.

And definitely Garbett in the mix to start. No clear winner there yet, though Baze has also liked McCowatt playing deeper at times after subs etc?

After these two most recent games I'm guessing that Roux may never see a white shirt again - he looked very average!

I know this is a little mean, to the players that are already there... but in 2010 we had a couple quality kiwis pop out of the woodwork.

I would love to suddenly find ourselves picking up another Smith/Reid type player (up top would be nice) to give us a little more quality.

However, given the scouting networks now adays, the chances of this happening are probably next to nil.

this is the 2010 squad:

image.png 38.62 KB

I would argue that we are stronger in several positions in the current group.
keeper for one, our wide midfielders and even the creative mids are far better now. The current strike force is a little too reliant on Wood.

It is kinda frustrating that we still don't know the squad sizes.

We know that they were always 23, but got expanded to 26 for Qatar, but the following WWC squads were back to 23, with the stated reasoning (from memory) being that the increased squad sizes were due to the COVID context which no longer applied to the Aus/NZ tournament. 

Now I have seen reports squads could be 26 or even 30, and while I haven't seen any reports suggesting 23 is likely, it is technically the status quo.

Without knowing the number it is hard to speculate about who will be in and out. And if it is to be 30 man squads then there will be no jeopardy at all, every NZ player who could arguably deserve a place will get one if there are 30 of them. 

Didn’t start either game in this window but seems Baze is now a Randall fan. Bad news for Waine you’d guess

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360892361/race-fifa-world-cup-places-which-all-whites-are-plane-north-america

Imagine picking waine over Randall in a world cup squad at this point. You'd have to be smoking crack.

It's obvious Waine needs a new club in the Jan window, and somewhere where he will be playing. He's stays at PV, and it's a 23 man squad he can't be picked.

26 man squad and he likely sneaks in due to a lack of other candidates.

He's lucky as it is that Mata ain't playing and a red hot Dyer left the LOI.

Dyer must be kicking himself. But also is probably enjoying his life! No Irish or European winters. 

If they do end up announcing it's going to be a 30 man squad set up, god forbid, how will Baze be able to remember the main objective as national team coach is still to get the side as deep into the tournament as possible and not to sabotage that by using every possible minute to put Ben Waine in the shop window?

Baze saying this week after the games that BT needs to work on his fitness. Nothing that surprising in this interview but some good Qs from the interviewers and good answers from Baze. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fYMUkjdQz3Aeg8HK8Y6kb?si=EZ85MNiwRPqyShr4SzUBDg&t=5&ct=0

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fYMUkjdQz3Aeg8HK8Y6kb?si=EZ85MNiwRPqyShr4SzUBDg&t=5&ct=0

Yipe nothing too revealing, though you sense that Bazeley was a bit frustrated by Tuiloma's failure to keep himself at top fitness.

In comparison sounds like Waine, who likewise has barely played at his clubs(s) this year, has at least kept himself in top shape. Baze also hinting that Waineo may already have a January loan deal in the pipeline. Nix?

I hope he has somewhere that he plays. I still have faith he has what it takes.

Tulimona can't be that unfit to play international and MLS football. 

He's not even that old in football terms.. 

Centre back verus full back level fitness?