I’ve been really surprised that this WC campaign hasn’t unearthed any “hidden gems” last time (from memory which is pretty shark) we got wood, Smith and Reid. I would have thought there might have been someone playing at a Decent level that’s realised that maybe if they want to play at a WC now’s the time to come forward.
Bindon and MDD?
Man I wish we had Stenesss (spelling) and Boyd available for us :(
The All Whites now know their opponents at next year’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Who are the most important players in head coach Darren Bazeley’s squad, and who will be on the plane to North America next June?
Jason Pine updates the All Whites...
30. (36) George Stanger (Kilmarnock, Scotland)
Called into the most recent squads off the back of strong performances at club level. May find himself just outside the squad for 2026, but will be a contender for the next World Cup when older central defenders retire.
29. (32) Bill Tuiloma (Unattached)
Earned a surprise recall in the last two windows, having been only sporadically seen at international level in the last two years. His versatility is an asset, but his lack of a current club is of concern.
28. (30) James McGarry (Brisbane Roar, Australia)
After six years in the international wilderness, challenging hard to be Libby Cacace’s deputy at left back, and performing strongly in the A-League to stake his claim.
27. (22) Ben Waine (Port Vale, England)
Despite constant involvement in the All Whites for three years, a dearth of club minutes has come at the worst possible time. Needs game time to make the plane.
26. (21) Tommy Smith (Braintree Town, England)
To quote the NZ Football media release, he was called into the latest All Whites camp to “provide additional experience on and off the pitch”. Looks certain to end his international career at the 2026 World Cup, 16 years after starring at the 2010 tournament.
25. (NEW ENTRY) Luke Brooke-Smith (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Debuted off the bench against Australia in September and provides a point of difference. If Bazeley looks along his bench to find an unpredictable spark late in matches, his eyes may well fall on the talented teenager.
24. (NEW ENTRY) Owen Parker-Price (Orgryte, Sweden)
A late bloomer in international terms, debuting against Poland last month at the age of 26, but may have timed his run perfectly to nab a World Cup spot as midfield back-up.
23. (35) Kees Sims (GAIS, Sweden)
The current front-runner for the third goalkeeping spot before the likes of Nik Tzanev, Henry Gray, Michael Woud and Oli Sail, and will further strengthen his case with solid club minutes over the European winter.
22. (38) Callan Elliot (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
There’s a vacancy as back-up to Tim Payne at right fullback, and Elliot’s eye-catching performances at club level have put him firmly in the conversation.
21. (41) Jesse Randall (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Has made a flying start to the new A-League season, combining goals and assists with pace and energy. If the World Cup squad was named today, he’d be in it.
20. (4) Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Hasn’t played for New Zealand in over a year, having been overtaken by Finn Surman and Tyler Bindon in the competitive centre back race. An injury which delayed his start to the new A-League season has also been unhelpful.
19. (16) Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Logged 80 minutes in the most recent game against Ecuador, and plays every week as skipper of his club. Not part of New Zealand’s best 11, but certainly part of the World Cup squad.
18. (17) Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia)
Has the chance to cap his nearly two-decade long football career at a World Cup. Was instrumental in New Zealand earning qualification, and brings both experience and a point of difference at New Zealand’s sharp end.
17. (13) Tyler Bindon (Sheffield United, England, on loan from Nottingham Forest, England)
Worryingly, hasn’t played a club game since late August, having fallen out of favour at Sheffield United. Has undoubted quality though and will go to this World Cup and possibly the next three.
16. (14) Ben Old (Saint-Etienne, France)
Another who could do with more significant club minutes over the next few months, but a rusted-on member of the All Whites and an X-factor creative player of great value.
15. (18) Francis de Vries (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
What a story. From being unwanted by any professional club to an impressive, consistent ever-present with Auckland FC, he’s now the current back-up to Libby Cacace at left back. Indeed, he has started the last six All Whites matches in Cacace’s absence.
14. (15) Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg IF, Denmark)
Playing every week in the Danish top flight and an absolute regular in the national side in the last five years. Pushing for a starting spot depending on the opposition.
13. (12) Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdansk, Poland, on loan from AFC Bournemouth, England)
Injury prevented his involvement in the latest window, having played 90 minutes against both Poland and Norway in October. In a white-hot head-to-head battle with Max Crocombe for the starting spot in goal.
12. (5) Matt Garbett (Peterborough United, England)
Has had to reset his club career in England’s third tier, but approaching 40 caps for his country at the age of 23. Still some conjecture over his best position for New Zealand.
11. (8) Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
New Zealand’s first-choice right back when he’s fit, which at the moment, he’s not. The only silver lining to the long-term shoulder injury he suffered in late October is the recovery time available to him before June.
10. (10) Max Crocombe (Millwall, England)
In the face of Paulsen’s inexorable rise, his consistency has ensured the All Whites gloves are well and truly contestable. Crocombe has incumbency, but who is between the sticks in the first game of the World Cup is very much a live conversation.
9. (19) Finn Surman (Portland Timbers, USA)
One of the big movers in 2025. Elected to skip the final World Cup qualifiers to establish himself at club level, which he’s done exceptionally, even captaining his side on occasion. Has started seven of New Zealand’s last eight matches and scored bravely against Norway last month. Ahead of Bindon in the centre back pecking order right now.
8. (11) Eli Just (Motherwell, Scotland)
A move to the Scottish Premier League in July has been the latest step in Just’s upward trajectory, with the left-sided attacker impressing in every match. No one has played more often for New Zealand in the last five years.
7. (6) Joe Bell (Viking, Norway)
Capped an outstanding individual season by helping his side clinch the Norwegian title. A steadying influence and bottomless engine at the base of New Zealand’s midfield.
6. (7) Sarpreet Singh (TSC Backa Topola, Serbia)
New Zealand’s most creative attacking player and the only man to start every one of New Zealand’s 10 matches this year. Against world-class defences next June, moments of inspiration will be needed, and Singh is the most obvious source.
5. (9) Michael Boxall (Minnesota United, USA)
The saying about fine wine applies perfectly here. Having first played for the All Whites in 2011, he’s arguably a better defender now, combining supreme fitness with unmatched game awareness. Quite simply, New Zealand look more secure when Boxall plays.
4. (3) Marko Stamenic (Swansea City, England)
Arguably the player with the highest ceiling among the current crop. Technically excellent, combative, composed and never overawed, he’s already an utterly crucial cog in the national side, with his best years still ahead.
3. (20) Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle, Netherlands)
His return to the national side in September after a six-year absence was a stark reminder of what the All Whites had been missing. Adds a touch of class to every footballing action he performs and has the innate, yet rare commodity of time. Space just seems to open up around him when he has the ball. Class personified.
2. (2) Libby Cacace (Wrexham, Wales)
One of very few players in this team who unquestionably starts when available. Much as others can fill a gap in his absence (which they’ve had to recently), his insatiable engine, pace, athleticism and big-league experience combine to make him a genuine international player, regardless of the opposition.
1. (1) Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, England)
New Zealand’s skipper, talisman and most important player. Operating in the rarefied air of the Premier League has sharpened him into a generational New Zealand striker. Chances won’t come along too often at the World Cup, but Wood has shown an invaluable ability to score goals when opportunity knocks.
Waine is well ahead of LBS. The coach loves him and now he's scoring again. Tulimona is ahead of Elliot in my mind, as he can backup CB. Pijnaker can't be that high until he's played a few more games. Paulsen is now ahead of Croc for me.
I’m a fan of Alex, but hard to see him being ahead of Croc, with him playing well in the last two games for the All Whites, in recent times always being number one and also starting for the team third in the championship
As long as he can retain his place for Millwall, hard to see him being dropped.
The one which is very difficult to fathom is Luke Brooke-Smith inside a 26 man squad.
At the moment he can’t make the Nix’s first team and only got 13 mins of the bench in the last game.
There is currently no reason to take him at all unless you want to offer him the experience and hoping at the age of 17 he will blossom, but with the Smiths of this world likely in the squad, you can’t take two passengers.
Would likely have him well behind Piper at this stage.
Would have Piper any day crashing of the bench in the last 10 minutes then LBS.
Also Garbett above McCowatt. That can't be right! McCowatt scoring regularly in a much better league.
I love Piney's work. But this list just feels a bit rushed to me.
People don't seem to say it here but as much as Piney loves his football (like us) he's a poor judge of ability and a poor commentator to boot. I'm sure he's great crack on a beer at the pub, but then so are most of us here too.
I take that list with an ocean's grain of salt. We all know know who the top 15 odd players are without the need of some random list.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
Stamenic is above Thomas and Cacace for me. He’s been the most consistent All White in the last 3 odd years.
His resume is quite impressive for his age too. Has played for the 3 biggest clubs in their respective countries in Olympiacos, København and Red Star. UCL experience at 2 of those clubs too including a Goal!
He’s an absolute wonder talent for our country and has already achieved so much with doubles in all those countries. Now hopefully can work his way up to the Premier League in the next couple years or get a move to a big top 5 league club.
Some of the fifty is odd. Pijnaker lucky. Mata seems very unlucky. Not playing but at a reasonable club v lots of experience but not a club. McCowatt and Garbett are listed fairly closely. Garbett has taken international games by the scruff of the neck for us before. McCowatt…under appreciated but also hasn’t bossed any games. He needs to press his claim to be a main man. Just and Garbett definitely do imo.
But his club form is undeniable.
I don’t think that’s a big problem with the list.
Edit: LBS I think genuinely has something for us that only Old and Cacace have. I was so excited to see Old treating Ecuador (or was it Colombia?) like he used to A league players- dribbling from the edge of our box with strength and trickery. Chief has over used LBS a bit, but that’s cause he was praying he might burst out fully formed like Marco eventually did. The kid has game changing potential that is almost manifest, but he’s not there yet. -Edit finished
It’s a tricky one. Injuries, club form, history, past selections, recent selections, unique abilities and skills, goal scoring for club and country, fitness…
I think there’s some you could argue with, but that’s the point of a list like this right?
Some of the fifty is odd. Pijnaker lucky. Mata seems very unlucky. Not playing but at a reasonable club v lots of experience but not a club. McCowatt and Garbett are listed fairly closely. Garbett has taken international games by the scruff of the neck for us before. McCowatt…under appreciated but also hasn’t bossed any games. He needs to press his claim to be a main man. Just and Garbett definitely do imo.
But his club form is undeniable.
I don’t think that’s a big problem with the list.
It’s a tricky one. Injuries, club form, history, past selections, recent selections, unique abilities and skills, goal scoring for club and country, fitness…
I think there’s some you could argue with, but that’s the point of a list like this right?
Yeah it's fun to have something like this come out. Really shows we have about 13 top quality players and below that it drops off fast.
Some of the fifty is odd. Pijnaker lucky. Mata seems very unlucky. Not playing but at a reasonable club v lots of experience but not a club. McCowatt and Garbett are listed fairly closely. Garbett has taken international games by the scruff of the neck for us before. McCowatt…under appreciated but also hasn’t bossed any games. He needs to press his claim to be a main man. Just and Garbett definitely do imo.
But his club form is undeniable.
I don’t think that’s a big problem with the list.
It’s a tricky one. Injuries, club form, history, past selections, recent selections, unique abilities and skills, goal scoring for club and country, fitness…
I think there’s some you could argue with, but that’s the point of a list like this right?
Yeah it's fun to have something like this come out. Really shows we have about 13 top quality players and below that it drops off fast.
I would guess that just about every fan of every nation would say the same. Think Wales, Scotland... anyone. Trouble is they're playing at a much higher level.
The one which is very difficult to fathom is Luke Brooke-Smith inside a 26 man squad.
At the moment he can’t make the Nix’s first team and only got 13 mins of the bench in the last game.
There is currently no reason to take him at all unless you want to offer him the experience and hoping at the age of 17 he will blossom, but with the Smiths of this world likely in the squad, you can’t take two passengers.
Would likely have him well behind Piper at this stage.
Would have Piper any day crashing of the bench in the last 10 minutes then LBS.
Piper need to be in. Has that fight and energy that can lift everyone else around him
The FIFA rankings are yes flawed but our pool opponents are 8th, 20th & 34th. We sit 86th.
All of Belgium, Iran and Egypt expect to beat us.
Our 1-0 win over Ivory Coast was our first notable win over anyone decent in years. Norway were nowhere near full strength for that 1-1 draw.
I'd call a draw from the 3 pool games, a pass for the AWs, if say the other two games were tight losses by 1-2 goals. That's being realistic.
But 100% we should be targeting getting out of the group. Otherwise yes why bother turning up. Wins over Iran and Egypt are possible, if we are full strength and have big elements of luck.
After that heartbreaking Costa Rica loss in 2022, we are due some fortune on a big stage. Wood also being injured for the Peru playoff matches in 2017.
The other 3 teams could all have off field issues. From big player egos/divisions to hardline US Immigration to managing huge pressure from their own fans. All stuff that could lead to on field implosions. Every World Cup there are some favoured teams that just blow up on and off the pitch. Under steady eddy Baze that stuff won't likely plague us.
However I still see us as being stronger in 2030 than 2026.
We’ve got 13 top players? F- me. And all of our top FIFTY players are at a professional club??
Remember when we took amateurs to a World Cup?
I look at it with a lens of... would these players get into another world cup squad - such as Australia. I know we are smaller...
I think this is a good lens - who in our squad currently makes the aussie team:
Paulsen and Crocombe do. Surman and Bindon do - I don't think they take an old 36 yr old in Boxall personally. Carcace goes Stamenic and Thomas make it. Wood makes it.
Out of the above, I think 3 maybe 4 of them make the Aussie starting line up.
I asked AI to make the same comparison... this is the answer...
This is a classic Trans-Tasman debate. While the Socceroos generally have greater depth and consistency as a team (evidenced by their recent "Soccer Ashes" wins and deeper World Cup runs), the All Whites currently possess a few individuals who are playing at a higher level than their Australian counterparts.
If we were to build a combined "Trans-Tasman XI" based on current form and club pedigree (playing in top 5 European leagues), 3 to 4 Kiwis would likely make the starting side.
Here is the breakdown by position:
The Locks (2 Kiwis)
1. Chris Wood (Striker) – NZ
The Case: This is the easiest selection on the pitch. Chris Wood is a proven Premier League goalscorer (Nottingham Forest) in the form of his life.
The Competition: Australia has struggled to find a consistent #9 since the days of Viduka and Cahill. Their current options (Kusini Yengi, Mitchell Duke, Adam Taggart) do not come close to Wood’s pedigree or finishing ability in a top league.
Verdict:100% Kiwi.
2. Liberato Cacace (Left Back) – NZ
The Case: Cacace is a regular starter in Serie A (Empoli), one of the most defensively tactical leagues in the world. He plays significant minutes against top-tier opposition.
The Competition: Australia has good options here with Jordan Bos (high potential) and Aziz Behich (experience), but Bos plays in the Belgian league and Behich is in the A-League. A starting Serie A defender edges them out.
Verdict:Kiwi.
The Contenders (1–2 Kiwis)
3. Marko Stamenic (Central Midfield) – NZ
The Case: Stamenic has Champions League experience (with Red Star Belgrade) and was signed by Nottingham Forest (loaned to Olympiacos). He provides a physical, technical presence that rivals Australia's best.
The Competition: The Australian midfield engine room usually features Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli - Bundesliga) and Connor Metcalfe (St. Pauli). Irvine is the first name on the team sheet for his leadership and engine. The battle is Stamenic vs. Metcalfe/Keanu Baccus.
Verdict:Likely Kiwi. A midfield trio of Irvine (AUS), Mooy (Ret.)—now arguably Stamenic (NZ)—and Riley McGree (AUS) provides the best balance. Stamenic likely displaces Metcalfe or Baccus for raw ceiling and European pedigree.
4. Joe Bell (Defensive Midfield) – NZ
The Case: The Viking FK captain is technically excellent and controls tempo better than most Australian midfielders, who tend to be more "all-action" (runners) rather than "conductors" (passers).
The Competition: He is fighting for a spot against Aiden O'Neill or arguably stepping in if you want a double-pivot with Stamenic. However, Australia’s midfield cohesion is their strength, so they might stick with their own pairings.
Verdict:Toss-up. He makes the squad easily, but might sit on the bench for a more attacking Aussie option like McGree or Hrustic.
The Tough Misses (Where Australia dominates)
Centre Backs: Australia is stacked here. Harry Souttar (Sheffield United) and Alessandro Circati (Parma - Serie A) or Cameron Burgess (Ipswich - Premier League) form a wall. NZ's Tyler Bindon is a massive talent (Reading), but he doesn't displace a Premier League/Serie A duo yet.
Goalkeeper:Maty Ryan (or Joe Gauci at Aston Villa) still holds the edge over NZ's Alex Paulsen or Max Crocombe due to experience at the highest level, though this gap is closing fast.
Wingers/Attacking Midfield: Australia has more depth and "X-factor" here. Craig Goodwin, Martin Boyle, Riley McGree, and the explosive Nestory Irankunda (Bayern Munich) generally offer more threat than NZ’s Elijah Just or Ben Old, though Sarpreet Singh has the talent if he can find consistent game time.
The Final "Trans-Tasman" XI (4-3-3)
GK: Maty Ryan (AUS)
RB: Lewis Miller / Ryan Strain (AUS)
CB: Harry Souttar (AUS)
CB: Alessandro Circati / Cameron Burgess (AUS)
LB:Liberato Cacace (NZ)
CM: Jackson Irvine (AUS)
CM:Marko Stamenic (NZ)
CAM: Riley McGree (AUS)
RW: Martin Boyle / Nestory Irankunda (AUS)
LW: Craig Goodwin (AUS)
ST:Chris Wood (NZ)
Summary
In my opinion, 3 Kiwis are guaranteed starters (Wood, Cacace, Stamenic).
While 3 out of 11 sounds low, these three are arguably the most important players on the pitch: the primary goalscorer, the midfield anchor, and a Serie A defender. New Zealand has the "star power," while Australia has the squad depth.
Boz might be ahead of Cacace given his form in the dutch league is pretty decent!
Lachlan Bayliss and Ben Gibson on the bench today for the Jets. Not exactly banging on the door for late/surprise All Whites call-ups. Starting to wonder if our World Cup squad naming might be one of the most underwhelming/unsurprising squad announcements ever.
Lachlan Bayliss and Ben Gibson on the bench today for the Jets. Not exactly banging on the door for late/surprise All Whites call-ups. Starting to wonder if our World Cup squad naming might be one of the most underwhelming/unsurprising squad announcements ever.
Which I believe is a credit to the way Bazeley has gone about his job. We’ve seen the core of the first team and bench play a lot together. Bolters are unlikely, depending on the squad size allowed. Even if the first team isn’t available we mostly know the order in which players will come in.
The players can focus on their fitness and jobs, and whatever instructions they’ve had from the coaches.
Currently playing back to goal 9 at a higher professional league than any of his competitors.
I’ve seen him pass to players this season! Successfully!
But he’d do better against a good CB than anyone else besides Mata imo. Definitely could find Singh with a header or a chest down. Might even win a pen.
Against him is that he’s yet to play for the AWs I believe or be included in a squad.
But yeh- definitely a guy who could make a case for inclusion.
Tbh if he can disrupt a defense and win a header high up, or even retain possession through other parts of the torso, that might be enough to put him in? Without Wood we don’t have a good back to goal 9. Mata is borderline with not playing.
If Dupont ends up making his Championship debut, would he be included in the extended squad? That’s the approach we took with MDD, and it’s how we picked up Tyler when he went to Reading.
DuPont is only 18, and it would all depend on who else is around, doing whatever. He has to yes debut for the Baggies first before entering the conversation.
Weren't LKH and Bulkeley, Greeny's preferred CB combination at the U20 WC?? DuPont and Jayden Smith more the subs.
Young Noah still young enough to go to the next U20 WC in 2027.
Boxy, Surman, Bindon, Stanger, Pijnaker and likely (mentor) Smith are enough CBs in an extended 26 man WC squad.
But yeah could bring in some promising guys like LBS, DuPont etc to train with the team in camp, outside of the 26, to get a little taster of the big dance.
MDD was picked before Thomas returned, and maybe some of Bell, Stamenic etc were unavailable?? Pre or post Clayton Lewis being arrested?
Bindon was a starter at Reading almost upon arrival, and then was eased into the AWs as a RB/RWB, before getting games at CB from memory. He'd also been a USA age group player, so we knew early on he was gonna be good, if not how very very good he would so quickly be.
Despite some fans attempting to convince Brook to play for the All Whites on social media, Brook confirms that not only is he not eligible for Darren Bazeley’s side, he’s working towards a Socceroos call-up.
“That’s definitely a dream of mine, just to play for the Socceroos, let alone go to a World Cup.
“I actually saw on Twitter someone mentioned that if I was eligible for New Zealand, which I’m not, unless a Kiwi girl wants to marry me, I’m not eligible,” Brook joked.
