Group G | Oceania
New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup
A possession-leaning New Zealand side built around Chris Wood, with width and the No.10 role still unresolved.
Watch for New Zealand early read: whether Wood has a second runner close to him or is fighting centre-backs alone.
Story
New Zealand are no longer only a rugged outsider; this is a team trying to play cleaner football while still depending on Wood.
Tactical cue
New Zealand early read: whether Wood has a second runner close to him or is fighting centre-backs alone.
Squad, fixtures, manager, tactics, and match outlook
This page tracks New Zealand's World Cup 2026 squad shape, group fixtures, manager context, tactical profile, and key players to watch. Start with the story, then check the tactical cue and player cue against the next match.
Qualification and bracket path
Jump from the main team card into the scenario pages that matter most for this team.
- World Cup 2026 scenarios
Start at the main qualification and bracket hub
- Group G qualification scenarios
See the wider group qualification picture
- World Cup 2026 third-place table
Track the best-third-place race
- Knockout bracket
See the live knockout picture
Overview
← swipe to explore →
New Zealand are back for a third World Cup, having gone unbeaten but exited in 2010. They are also the first direct OFC qualifier in the expanded format.
Trophy
Finals
Third Place
Best Finish
Group stage (1982, 2010)
 | Head CoachDarren Bazeley |
Age: 53Joined: March 2023Exp: 4 yrs Club / 22 yrs Country | |
| Coaching Philosophy Diplomatic and player-driven. Employs a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, aiming for possession but sometimes struggling in front of goal. | |
| Key Achievements +Former defender in the English leagues. Made his name as a national age-group coach before graduating to the senior side. | |
 | Chris Wood | |
Age: 34Exp: 20 yrs Club / 17 yrs Country | ||
Current ClubNottingham Forest | 🛡️ | |
 | Elijah Just | |
Age: 26Exp: 8 yrs Club / 7 yrs Country | ||
Current ClubMotherwell | 🛡️ | |
 | Liberato Cacace | |
Age: 25Exp: 8 yrs Club / 8 yrs Country | ||
Current ClubWrexham | 🛡️ | |
← swipe to explore →
Favorite
Diplomatic and player-driven. Employs a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, aiming for possession but sometimes struggling in front of goal.
Tactics
◆ Tactical Analysis ◆
Attack
New Zealand demonstrated an ability to generate goals through direct play and set-piece efficiency, highlighted by Finn Surman’s header from a Tim Payne delivery and Elijah Just’s brace against Iran. Despite these moments of attacking cohesion, the team struggled to maintain offensive consistency throughout the group stage, ultimately failing to secure a win.
Key Strength
New Zealand demonstrated consistent attacking efficiency by scoring in every group stage match, including a brace from Elijah Just against Iran. The team utilized effective set-piece delivery and hold-up play to generate scoring opportunities throughout the tournament.
Defence
New Zealand struggled to maintain defensive structure throughout the tournament, conceding 10 goals across three matches without recording a clean sheet. The backline frequently failed to contain opposition movement in the box, leading to recurring lapses in marking and vulnerability to both aerial and transition-based attacks.
Fatal Weakness
New Zealand's defensive structure consistently collapsed under pressure, conceding ten goals across three matches due to an inability to manage space in the box and track runners. This structural fragility repeatedly nullified their attacking output, preventing the team from securing a win despite holding leads in two separate fixtures.
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Squad
Select a player to view
their scouting card.
Select a player to view
their scouting card.
Schedule
Fixtures List
Stats
🥅 Attack & Offence
1.3/match
15 SOT
3.3/match
1.3/match
Goals/Shots
📐 Build-up & Possession
1082/1303 completed
6/44 completed
57/128 completed
🛡️ Defence & Goalkeeping
3.3/match
0 matches
22/35 tackles won
8.3/match
Effective
Shots blocked
🟨 Cards & Discipline
10.7/match
Data provided by FootieGuide research is for fan guide context. Verification source: ESPN API.
🥅 Attack & Offence
1.3/match
15 SOT
3.3/match
1.3/match
Goals/Shots
📐 Build-up & Possession
1082/1303 completed
6/44 completed
57/128 completed
🛡️ Defence & Goalkeeping
3.3/match
0 matches
22/35 tackles won
8.3/match
Effective
Shots blocked
🟨 Cards & Discipline
10.7/match
Data provided by FootieGuide research is for fan guide context. Verification source: ESPN API.
News
🛰️ External Headlines (Radar)
🩹 Injuries & Availability
If Sarpreet Singh is not fit and the wide players do not stretch the pitch, the possession can look neat but harmless.
📝 Recent Warm-up Reports
🗣️ Manager Profile & Press
“Diplomatic and player-driven. Employs a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, aiming for possession but sometimes struggling in front of goal.”
📋 Squad Context
Projected pre-tournament XI; 11 of 11 names match the June 2026 player snapshot. Final matchday selection still requires confirmation.
🛰️ External Headlines (Radar)
🩹 Injuries & Availability
If Sarpreet Singh is not fit and the wide players do not stretch the pitch, the possession can look neat but harmless.
📝 Recent Warm-up Reports
🗣️ Manager Profile & Press
“Diplomatic and player-driven. Employs a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, aiming for possession but sometimes struggling in front of goal.”
📋 Squad Context
Projected pre-tournament XI; 11 of 11 names match the June 2026 player snapshot. Final matchday selection still requires confirmation.