World Cup 2026

imanixsupporter

I was gutted when we didnt get drawn into Pool B with Qatar, Canada and Switzerland. Would have been the easiest group by an absolute country mile.

Nelsen disrespecting Iran a little bit by saying NZ will be targetting a win in that game when Egypt are probably a much easier team to beat if you can shut down Salah (which looks pretty easy these days with the form he and Liverpool are in). Iran are massive in Asia, head and shoulders above Australia. 

We/Boxall have unfinished business Qatar, consider yourselves fortunate.

Buffon II

Fitzy

I think we should be aiming for at least a point against Belgium as well, not just Egypt and Iran. During qualifying they drew with North Macedonia and Kazakhstan, and in the last year they have also lost to Ukraine and Israel. They’re not unbeatable. 

We should look at points from every game. Why bother going otherwise?

Yeah of course. I just mean Belgium seem like the weakest of the 9 seeded teams we could have drawn outside of the 3 hosts. 

imanixsupporter

I was gutted when we didnt get drawn into Pool B with Qatar, Canada and Switzerland. Would have been the easiest group by an absolute country mile.

Nelsen disrespecting Iran a little bit by saying NZ will be targetting a win in that game when Egypt are probably a much easier team to beat if you can shut down Salah (which looks pretty easy these days with the form he and Liverpool are in). Iran are massive in Asia, head and shoulders above Australia. 

Iran are definitely not as good as you think they are, and no evidence to suggest they're better than Australia right now.

They always qualify with ease for the World Cup, but are known for disappointing at major tournaments recently. Never made it through to the knockout stages, and always disappoint in the Asian Cup.

More so - their squad is very much an aging squad, and there has been a lot of criticism of their playing style in friendlies. As examples, they lost the central asian cup to Uzbekistan, and went to pens against UAE and Cabo Verde in recent friendlies.

If you look at their key players - Taremi, Azmoun, Beiranvand, Jahanbaksh are all 30+, and they're still reliant on the same players from 2018ish.

Yes they will be favourites against NZ, but they're definitely beatable, and I think more so than Egypt.

Egypt are more dangerous than people think imo - as well as Salah and Marmoush, they have a good experienced core playing in the Egyptian league, which is regarded as one of the best in Africa and definitely a long way clear of the Iranian league. Plus that's players that often play week-in week-out together, and that I'm sure the national team coaches keep close contact with.

Al Ahly and Pyramids who are mostly made up of Egyptians often win the CAF Champions League, and put in decent performances in the Club World Cup/Interconfed Cup. Pyramids beat Saudi heavyweights Al Ittihad away in that comp recently.

By the way since it may be of interest  - they begin AFCON with 22 December with a group of Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola

As theprof said, Iran beat UAE 2-0 this year and the UAE play Egypt tomorrow. Will give us a decent yardstick to compare them. 

LT01

Buffon II

It will be a massive disappointment if we either don't win a game or don't progress from that group. Avoided some really tough groups there, especially when it got down to us and Ghana being the last two to be drawn. We got lucky there.

 We are still the lowest ranked team in the tournaments. I think the bare minimum is a point.

I wouldn't read too much in to the rankings. I think our current ranking is way off our 'true' ranking. 

I think we will surprise a lot of people. 

We should be targeting wins against both Iran and Egypt.

Just had a relook at the post game stats and we had 52% possession against Egypt last March in Cairo.

From memory their side then were almost all domestically based, but they don't have that many names in Europe outside Salah, Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes) & Marmoush anyway.

We can get a result against Egypt. But much more favourable to play them in Vancouver than LA. They will cope with the Californian heat better than us.

The lineups from that March 2024 game.

Basically we will be underdogs in all 3 games, but it would be a big disappointment to not get at least one draw, and there will be some chance we get through to the R32. Remembering eight 3rd placed teams will go into the R32.

By my analysis 8 of their run on 11 against us last March, are in their below just announced AFCON squad.

Bit like the fact that Ingham & Lewis who started for the AWs in Cairo won't be going to the WC. Plus Mata is a doubtful selection. So likewise we would be picking 8-9 from that March game now as well in a squad.

Be interesting to see how Egypt go at the AFCON.

Goalkeepers:
Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly)
Ahmed El Shenawy (Pyramids)
Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly)
Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek)

Defenders:
Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly)
Ahmed Eid (Al Masry)
Ramy Rabia (Al Ain)
Khaled Sobhi (Al Masry)
Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly)
Mohamed Ismail (Zamalek)
Hossam Abdel-Maguid (Zamalek)
Mohamed Hamdy (Pyramids)
Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek)

Midfielders:
Marwan Attia (Al Ahly)
Hamdi Fathi (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
Mohannad Lasheen (Pyramids)
Mahmoud Saber (Zed)
Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek)
Emam Ashour (Al Ahly)
Ahmed Mostafa Zizo (Al Ahly)
Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Al Ahly)
Ibrahim Adel (Al Jazira, UAE)
Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids)
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Forwards:
Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes)
Salah Mohsen (Al Masry)
Osama Faisal (Al Ahly Bank)

coochiee

Just had a relook at te post game stats and we had 52% possession against Egypt last March in Cairo.

From memory their side then were almost all domestically based, but they don't have that many names in Europe outside Salah, Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes) & Marmoush anyway.

We can get a result against Egypt. But much more favourable to play them in Vancouver than LA. They will cope with the Californian heat better than us.

The lineups from that March 2024 game.

Basically we will be underdogs in all 3 games, but it would be a big disappointment to not get at least one draw, and there will be some chance we get through to the R32. Remembering eight 3rd placed teams will go into the R32.

Need to get rid of the Kiwi 'underdog' mentality. These are 2/3 winnable matches, we have the squad to do so. 

I know what you're saying, on paper we are underdogs (which I'm not disagreeing with at all).

But this is the best squad we've ever had and we've got some good results over recent years and come close to beating several top sides. 

Would like to see us go out there to win every match and believe we can do so.

imanixsupporter

As theprof said, Iran beat UAE 2-0 this year and the UAE play Egypt tomorrow. Will give us a decent yardstick to compare them. 

Nah, as a World Cup yardstick limited value. Look more at how Egypt go at the AFCON. 

Salah and Marmoush available for that, but not for these upcoming Arab Cup games.

LA shouldn't be too bad as SoFi Stadium has a roof and a climate control system to keep conditions comfortable despite the California heat outside

I reckon it's not impossible to get a result against the Belgians too. We play them last, and they could shoe out a second string side against us depending on how their games play out. Granted, their depth is still a class above us but I could foresee us getting a draw without their key players.

Half a Pint

coochiee wrote:

We can get a result against Egypt. But much more favourable to play them in Vancouver than LA. They will cope with the Californian heat better than us.

LA shouldn't be too bad as SoFi Stadium has a roof and a climate control system to keep conditions comfortable despite the California heat outside

That is good news, if we do end up playing there.

Please don’t predict any wins for NZ.

Simon B

Scotland to upset Brazil. You heard it here first.

Iranian guy (a real football nut) in my building, says he hopes Iran lose all 3 games.

'They are all government players'. Might be a few of that large Iranian diaspora in the US who think similar.

Joey Champness to pass on some intel to Baze!

Hard to find a less patriotic disapora than the Persians 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360910517/all-you-need-know-about-all-whites-fifa-world-cup-group-g-opponents

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360904160/all-whites-face-belgium-egypt-and-iran-2026-fifa-world-cup

Napier Phoenix

Please don’t predict any wins for NZ.

Simon B

Scotland to upset Brazil. You heard it here first.

NZ 1 ( Wood) Iran 0
NZ 1 (Just) Egypt 0
NZ 2 (Wood, Surmann) Belgium 1

If NZ wins all 3 group games I’ll probably keel over.

imanixsupporter

Hard to find a less patriotic disapora than the Persians 

Well, we’ll see. In 2022, Canada scheduled a friendly against Iran a few months after Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down leaving Tehran (the majority of the passengers were headed to Canada). The public outcry (and the Canadian government’s public criticism) led to the match being cancelled but not before 27,000 tickets were sold in the first hour of sale and all 57,000 were gone by the second day if I remember correctly. Suffice it to say Canada friendlies don’t sell like that normally. I think the Iranian diaspora will be well represented.

This is a great group. I think Baze will be really, really chuffed with this outcome. 

Jessie Merino

Napier Phoenix

Please don’t predict any wins for NZ.

Simon B

Scotland to upset Brazil. You heard it here first.

NZ 1 ( Wood) Iran 0
NZ 1 (Just) Egypt 0
NZ 2 (Wood, Surmann) Belgium 1

NZ 1 ( Wood) Iran 0 [Iran going all out to improve their goal difference, get caught out, Wood sensing the Iran GK in the sweeper-keeper position, coolly chips  him from 60 yards out]
NZ 1 (Just) Egypt 0 [again Egypt are dominating. Salah nails a 30 year screamer against the crossbar, AWs sensing this is their moment, counter...Just bombing into the box to meet a Cacace cross, unmarked, turns, bicycle kick.  Incredible scenes]
NZ 2 (Wood, Surmann) Belgium 1 [Beforehand, Murray Deaker calls in to Piney's talkback show and states that football is still far too complicated for him.  Aws therefore decide to keep it simple.  Both sweeping moves.  Tap ins]

interesting. Will be good from an atmosphere perspective. Don't imagine many neutrals will want to support Iran and I expect we will get a lot of neutral support as underdogs

juneof86

imanixsupporter

Hard to find a less patriotic disapora than the Persians 

Well, we’ll see. In 2022, Canada scheduled a friendly against Iran a few months after Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down leaving Tehran (the majority of the passengers were headed to Canada). The public outcry (and the Canadian government’s public criticism) led to the match being cancelled but not before 27,000 tickets were sold in the first hour of sale and all 57,000 were gone by the second day if I remember correctly. Suffice it to say Canada friendlies don’t sell like that normally. I think the Iranian diaspora will be well represented.

Whats the guts with tickets, and Is it too late?

That auckkand to vancouver flight looking very tempting....

I decided I wouldnt go to this WC. Not interested at all in going to the home of the orange idiot. But a game or two in Vancouver..hmmm!
Lovely city with very nice people. Make a holiday out of it and spend lots of time in the fan zones watching other matches.

I signed up for updates on ticket info on the All Whites Hub thing a few months ago.

Seeing the draw today, I realized I'd never heard from them - no emails or anything.

Go to the website now to see what's going on, and apparently, the window for tickets has already closed!

What a shambles - was Ticketek involved?

Jessie Merino

First up Iran. You can bet they'll target us as easy beats, go all out to boost their goal diff. 

I’m super keen for this game given my other half is Iranian. As much as I want us to win this game, we have next to no chance. USA is full of expat Iranians so they will really get behind the team the way we do with the ABs.

imanixsupporter

Hard to find a less patriotic disapora than the Persians 

When you say less patriotic I’m guessing you mean about loving their current government. 

I can assure you they are FAR MORE PATRIOTIC then most Anglophones and Europeans.

peteremcc

I signed up for updates on ticket info on the All Whites Hub thing a few months ago.

Seeing the draw today, I realized I'd never heard from them - no emails or anything.

Go to the website now to see what's going on, and apparently, the window for tickets has already closed!

What a shambles - was Ticketek involved?

NZF sent out emails yesterday to the WC Whanau telling us that big things are afoot.

Is a chance there will be a few off field political distractions for Iran being in the US and even Canada.

They also rarely play outside of Asia. Their only non Asian game in 2025 was friendly against the FIFA banned Russians in Volgograd. Will be a bit out of their comfort zones in North America, even if they do have huge fan support.

Captain & talisman Mehdi Taremi the only regular who plays outside the Persian, Middle Eastern or Turkish leagues. But they are ranked 20th for a reason, and will be the most difficult side for Baze & co to scout/prepare for.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360910562/all-whites-not-only-challenge-iran-opening-round-world-cup-they-will-have-get-us-first

First game in LA, then the rest of the group in Vancouver. Both having direct flights to NZ. Not too bad. Should have some cracking support for the games. Also 1PM and 3PM kickoff times for those of us back home too

Pleased with the locations/venues.

I think that having to only play one out of the three pool games in the US (Trumpland) is quite a good outcome.

2 hours of puff bluster that could have been done in less than 15 minutes.

Ideally a base near Vancouver or across the border in Washington State would be best

Temperate weather for some intense training, and of course the final 2 pool games are at BC Place

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360910730/all-whites-fifa-world-cup-venues-and-kickoff-times-revealed

Persians history goes back to antiquity and you want to narrow it down to the last 50 years 🤣

Give everybody a break.

Marto

imanixsupporter

Hard to find a less patriotic disapora than the Persians 

When you say less patriotic I’m guessing you mean about loving their current government. 

I can assure you they are FAR MORE PATRIOTIC then most Anglophones and Europeans.

Saffa

Persians history goes back to antiquity and you want to narrow it down to the last 50 years 🤣

Give everybody a break.

Marto

imanixsupporter

Hard to find a less patriotic disapora than the Persians 

When you say less patriotic I’m guessing you mean about loving their current government. 

I can assure you they are FAR MORE PATRIOTIC then most Anglophones and Europeans.

And your point is? 

Yes they have loads of history of which they are very proud but have no love whatsoever of the current regime and in many cases the Shah too.

Just looking at the possibilities if we get out of our pool by finishing 2nd or 3rd.
If we finish 3rd then we get a match against either first in Pool B

3rd gives us a match either against first in Pool B so Canada, Suisse or possibly Italy if they qualify OR we get a match against the first in Pool I which will probably be France.

If we finish second we play the second finisher from Pool D, which could well be Australia, USA or possibly Turkey if they qualify

Boxy's happy with the draw.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/08/boxall-all-whites-will-benefit-from-playing-conditions-thanks-to-world-cup-draw/

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-weekend-sport-with-jason-28682347/?keyid=Weekend%20Sport%20with%20Jason%20Pine&keyid=Michael%20Boxall%3A%20All%20Whites%20defender%20on%20the%202026%20FIFA%20World%20Cup%20draw&sc=podcast_widget

austin111

Just looking at the possibilities if we get out of our pool by finishing 2nd or 3rd.
If we finish 3rd then we get a match against either first in Pool B

and if you add locations ...
1st in G plays in Seattle vs 3rd A/E/H/I/J
2nd in G plays in Dallas vs 2nd in D
3rd in G plays either in New York vs 1st in I (Frances Group)
or in Vancouver vs 1st in B (Canadas Group)