2026 All Whites' World Cup Squad

MirjansCast wrote:
I have seen the comments about Woud being described as not exactly a bundle of fun - where does this come from? does he not come across well in media appearances or is that what players may have said about him? Sorry late to the party with this one

loyalgunner wrote:
Overall happy with the squad.

Regarding Smiths inclusion, I think Bazeley’s justification is poor. If he brings more to the team even when not playing then just tack him on to temporary staff. Bill Tuiloma has been poor lately but can also feel robbed. Two things can be true at once.

Also not sold on Woud. I’ve never seen a great performance from the guy. 

observerfromuh wrote:

 loyalgunner wrote:
Overall happy with the squad.

Regarding Smiths inclusion, I think Bazeley’s justification is poor. If he brings more to the team even when not playing then just tack him on to temporary staff. Bill Tuiloma has been poor lately but can also feel robbed. Two things can be true at once.

Also not sold on Woud. I’ve never seen a great performance from the guy. 

Woud probably won't get a minute to be fair

Maaaaaaatt wrote:

 Nelfoos wrote:

 Maaaaaaatt wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:

 Nelfoos wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:
BTW, I think Kosta and Tommy should both not be going.

 
So at least you're half right - who would you take over Kosta?

Piper, Kosta shouldn't be starting and when you need fresh legs and a spark a 36 year old player isn't it.

I'm just saying Smith isn't the only questionable inclusion in the squad.

90th minute, Woods been subbed off, who do you want at the end of a counter attack to draw a match against Iran. It's Waine and Kosta, then daylight, then Piper. 

90th minute, Wood subbed off, who do you want attacking the last chance corner we earned to draw a match against Belgium? Its Piper, then daylight, then Waine and Kosta.

Hell I'm not sure there's a single player in our squad I'd prefer to Piper in that scenario (bar Wood).

Bill Tuiloma would be pretty handy in that situation 

Bullion wrote:
I honestly think Stamenic is higher up the CB pecking order in the current squad than Smith.

whatever-11456-1 wrote:

 Maaaaaaatt wrote:

 Nelfoos wrote:

 Maaaaaaatt wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:

 Nelfoos wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:
BTW, I think Kosta and Tommy should both not be going.

 
So at least you're half right - who would you take over Kosta?

Piper, Kosta shouldn't be starting and when you need fresh legs and a spark a 36 year old player isn't it.

I'm just saying Smith isn't the only questionable inclusion in the squad.

90th minute, Woods been subbed off, who do you want at the end of a counter attack to draw a match against Iran. It's Waine and Kosta, then daylight, then Piper. 

90th minute, Wood subbed off, who do you want attacking the last chance corner we earned to draw a match against Belgium? Its Piper, then daylight, then Waine and Kosta.

Hell I'm not sure there's a single player in our squad I'd prefer to Piper in that scenario (bar Wood).

Bill Tuiloma would be pretty handy in that situation 

Tuiloma would have kissed his chances good bye after his very poor performance against MacArthur in our final game of the A league season

Jamdogg wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:

 loyalgunner wrote:
Overall happy with the squad.

Regarding Smiths inclusion, I think Bazeley’s justification is poor. If he brings more to the team even when not playing then just tack him on to temporary staff. Bill Tuiloma has been poor lately but can also feel robbed. Two things can be true at once.

Also not sold on Woud. I’ve never seen a great performance from the guy. 

Woud probably won't get a minute to be fair

without bias, he had a great performance against adelaide last week

Bullion wrote:

 whatever-11456-1 wrote:

 Maaaaaaatt wrote:

 Nelfoos wrote:

 Maaaaaaatt wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:

 Nelfoos wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:
BTW, I think Kosta and Tommy should both not be going.

 
So at least you're half right - who would you take over Kosta?

Piper, Kosta shouldn't be starting and when you need fresh legs and a spark a 36 year old player isn't it.

I'm just saying Smith isn't the only questionable inclusion in the squad.

90th minute, Woods been subbed off, who do you want at the end of a counter attack to draw a match against Iran. It's Waine and Kosta, then daylight, then Piper. 

90th minute, Wood subbed off, who do you want attacking the last chance corner we earned to draw a match against Belgium? Its Piper, then daylight, then Waine and Kosta.

Hell I'm not sure there's a single player in our squad I'd prefer to Piper in that scenario (bar Wood).

Bill Tuiloma would be pretty handy in that situation 

Tuiloma would have kissed his chances good bye after his very poor performance against MacArthur in our final game of the A league season

maybe he should have had poor performances in the 5th tier of England. Smith has only experienced being on the winning side 3 times in the league this season, only twice as a starter, and a couple of wins against u21 sides. His most recent appearance in a 5-1 loss.

Jamdogg wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:

 loyalgunner wrote:
Overall happy with the squad.

Regarding Smiths inclusion, I think Bazeley’s justification is poor. If he brings more to the team even when not playing then just tack him on to temporary staff. Bill Tuiloma has been poor lately but can also feel robbed. Two things can be true at once.

Also not sold on Woud. I’ve never seen a great performance from the guy. 

Woud probably won't get a minute to be fair

without bias, he had a great performance against adelaide last week

Nelfoos wrote:

 Bullion wrote:

 whatever-11456-1 wrote:

 Maaaaaaatt wrote:

 Nelfoos wrote:

 Maaaaaaatt wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:

 Nelfoos wrote:

 observerfromuh wrote:
BTW, I think Kosta and Tommy should both not be going.

 
So at least you're half right - who would you take over Kosta?

Piper, Kosta shouldn't be starting and when you need fresh legs and a spark a 36 year old player isn't it.

I'm just saying Smith isn't the only questionable inclusion in the squad.

90th minute, Woods been subbed off, who do you want at the end of a counter attack to draw a match against Iran. It's Waine and Kosta, then daylight, then Piper. 

90th minute, Wood subbed off, who do you want attacking the last chance corner we earned to draw a match against Belgium? Its Piper, then daylight, then Waine and Kosta.

Hell I'm not sure there's a single player in our squad I'd prefer to Piper in that scenario (bar Wood).

Bill Tuiloma would be pretty handy in that situation 

Tuiloma would have kissed his chances good bye after his very poor performance against MacArthur in our final game of the A league season

 
maybe he should have had poor performances in the 5th tier of England. Smith has only experienced being on the winning side 3 times in the league this season, only twice as a starter, and a couple of wins against u21 sides. His most recent appearance in a 5-1 loss.

Just imagine how bad they would be without his influence off the pitch!

hepatitis wrote:
Previously there was 23 picked. This time is 26. It’s not a big deal really to have Smith available for what he might bring in terms of experience and a wise head in the playing squad,  and as the outside chance of cover.

Bullion wrote:

 hepatitis wrote:
Previously there was 23 picked. This time is 26. It’s not a big deal really to have Smith available for what he might bring in terms of experience and a wise head in the playing squad,  and as the outside chance of cover.

 

He doesn't need to be in the playing squad to do that.*

*Other than NZF not having to pay him as part of the coaching squad.

hepatitis wrote:
Way too much angst against Smith.  Most of it not warranted.It’s good to have someone who has been at a World Cup, who has the experience of it. Only him and Chris Wood have.

Only last year he was playing well at the back for AFC. Gone back to uk and dropped down a few grades, to keep playing, nothing wrong with that that I can see. It’s not as if he was going to force himself into a championship side.

Tuiloma has been rubbish since he came back to the Nix. I can see why he was on the bench so much at his last club.

Hughes has had a good year but is green still. I remember his howlers the year before this. Under the pressure of a World Cup, I wouldn’t back him. He needs to have regular game time for the all whites first. And he’s not getting that.

I don’t know about the guys in the other leagues to be fair. 

Previously there was 23 picked. This time is 26. It’s not a big deal really to have Smith available for what he might bring in terms of experience and a wise head in the playing squad,  and as the outside chance of cover.

hepatitis wrote:
Way too much angst against Smith.  Most of it not warranted.It’s good to have someone who has been at a World Cup, who has the experience of it. Only him and Chris Wood have.

Only last year he was playing well at the back for AFC. Gone back to uk and dropped down a few grades, to keep playing, nothing wrong with that that I can see. It’s not as if he was going to force himself into a championship side.

Tuiloma has been rubbish since he came back to the Nix. I can see why he was on the bench so much at his last club.

Hughes has had a good year but is green still. I remember his howlers the year before this. Under the pressure of a World Cup, I wouldn’t back him. He needs to have regular game time for the all whites first. And he’s not getting that.

I don’t know about the guys in the other leagues to be fair. 

Previously there was 23 picked. This time is 26. It’s not a big deal really to have Smith available for what he might bring in terms of experience and a wise head in the playing squad,  and as the outside chance of cover.

Bullion wrote:

 hepatitis wrote:
Previously there was 23 picked. This time is 26. It’s not a big deal really to have Smith available for what he might bring in terms of experience and a wise head in the playing squad,  and as the outside chance of cover.

 

He doesn't need to be in the playing squad to do that.*

*Other than NZF not having to pay him as part of the coaching squad.

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2054720436353761787
A message from our FIFA World Cup captain, Chris Wood 🇳🇿🏆 pic.twitter.com/xuV3VRGeMk
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) May 14, 2026 

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2054756851724759112

 
FIFA World Cup Squad Announcement at @edenparknz 🇳🇿🤝🏟️ pic.twitter.com/QdGcJ5DZ1F
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) May 14, 2026 

hepatitis wrote:

 Bullion wrote:

 hepatitis wrote:
Previously there was 23 picked. This time is 26. It’s not a big deal really to have Smith available for what he might bring in terms of experience and a wise head in the playing squad,  and as the outside chance of cover.

 

He doesn't need to be in the playing squad to do that.*

*Other than NZF not having to pay him as part of the coaching squad.

He does need to be in the squad to provide cover

ballane wrote:

 hepatitis wrote:
Way too much angst against Smith.  Most of it not warranted.It’s good to have someone who has been at a World Cup, who has the experience of it. Only him and Chris Wood have.

Only last year he was playing well at the back for AFC. Gone back to uk and dropped down a few grades, to keep playing, nothing wrong with that that I can see. It’s not as if he was going to force himself into a championship side.

Tuiloma has been rubbish since he came back to the Nix. I can see why he was on the bench so much at his last club.

Hughes has had a good year but is green still. I remember his howlers the year before this. Under the pressure of a World Cup, I wouldn’t back him. He needs to have regular game time for the all whites first. And he’s not getting that.

I don’t know about the guys in the other leagues to be fair. 

Previously there was 23 picked. This time is 26. It’s not a big deal really to have Smith available for what he might bring in terms of experience and a wise head in the playing squad,  and as the outside chance of cover.

 

LMAO You have seen how many games he played right kinda makes yout staement rendundant.
He can do what job for the boys Baz gives him without being part of the squad. Surely NZ football would be better served by Hughes or any one of ort other young guns they choose being part of the squad in preperation for next time.
What really surprises me is those trying to justify a very amaturish decision.
With 26 the number the perfect opportunity to give some young guys an idea of what they may face next campaign. 

Bullion wrote:

 MirjansCast wrote:
I have seen the comments about Woud being described as not exactly a bundle of fun - where does this come from? does he not come across well in media appearances or is that what players may have said about him? Sorry late to the party with this one

His appearances on the unused subs, Goran's recent anecdote at the afc awards, Woud in any media talking about the Nix.

hepatitis wrote:

 Bullion wrote:

 MirjansCast wrote:
I have seen the comments about Woud being described as not exactly a bundle of fun - where does this come from? does he not come across well in media appearances or is that what players may have said about him? Sorry late to the party with this one

His appearances on the unused subs, Goran's recent anecdote at the afc awards, Woud in any media talking about the Nix.

Yet Bazeley, who has known him for a long time, says he is great in the squad and as a supporter. 

martinb wrote:
Tuiloma has made 2-3 big mistakes- a couple of OGs and a slip since starting without a pre-season for a squad in turmoil, but has also had some commanding performances. He’s also scored, and has a history of scoring headers and free kicks at MLS level. Add to that quite a comparatively reasonable turnout at RB against Colombia iirc. 

And being asked to be a CB with Retre and no Rufer screening is a bit of a joke. 
Imagine how Smith and Pijnaker would look or would’ve looked without Gallegos/verstaete/Howieson/et al protecting them. As well as being available to collect the ball and make play…plus Sakai on one side and de Vries on the other to boot.

I think Tuiloma has had some weaker games, but I think he’s also had plenty of games where he’s been impervious in the box, got his head on everything, tackled every flash Harry Aussie dribbler headed his way and moved the ball well. Remember he was recruited for a 3? It’s not fair to judge him until we see a full pre-season and a settled team environment. 

And as for Woud, I think he’s shown composure for two big games now, including a penalty shootout and is experienced, strong and familiar with a lot of the players from age groups and the Olympics. He’s won me over and the way the fans and coaching staff at AFC brought him back and supported him, compared to Josh lying in the mud and one or two others Chief cut should be a lesson for our club too.

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