New Zealand
Coach: Darren Bazeley
Starting XI Prediction
Star Players
All Players →
Fixtures
Group G
Group G
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Belgium | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
| 2 |  Egypt | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| 3 |  Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 1 |
Full Squad Players List
| # | Player | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| 1 | Max CrocombeXI Millwall FC | GK | |
| 12 | Alex Paulsen Lechia Gda ń sk | GK | |
| 22 | Michael Woud Auckland FC | GK | |
| Defenders | |||
| 2 | Tim PayneXI Wellington Phoenix FC | DEF | |
| 3 | Francis De Vries Auckland FC | DEF | |
| 4 | Tyler Bindon Sheeld United FC | DEF | |
| 5 | Michael BoxallXI Minnesota United FC | DEF | |
| 13 | Liberato CacaceXI Wrexham AFC | DEF | |
| 15 | Nando Pijnaker Auckland FC | DEF | |
| 16 | Finn Surman Portland Timbers | DEF | |
| 24 | Callan Elliot Auckland FC | DEF | |
| 26 | Tommy SmithXI Braintree Town FC | DEF | |
| Midfielders | |||
| 6 | Joe Bell Viking Stavanger | MID | |
| 7 | Matt GarbettXI Peterborough United FC | MID | |
| 8 | Marko StamenicXI Swansea City AFC | MID | |
| 10 | Sarpreet SinghXI Wellington Phoenix FC | MID | |
| 11 | Eli JustXI Motherwell FC | MID | |
| 14 | Alex Rufer Wellington Phoenix FC | MID | |
| 19 | Ben Old AS Saint-Etienne | MID | |
| 20 | Callum McCowatt Silkeborg IF | MID | |
| 23 | Ryan ThomasXI PEC Zwolle | MID | |
| 25 | Lachlan Bayliss Newcastle United Jets FC | MID | |
| Forwards | |||
| 9 | Chris WoodXI Nottingham Forest FC | FWD | |
| 17 | Kosta Barbarouses WS Wanderers FC | FWD | |
| 18 | Ben Waine Port Vale FC | FWD | |
| 21 | Jesse Randall Auckland FC | FWD | |
World Cup History
—
Titles
2
Appearances
6
WC Goals
0
Wins
Best finish: Group stage (1982, 2010)
Top scorer: Steve Sumner & Chris Wood (2 goals)
Most capped: Ryan Nelsen (6 matches)
Record: 0W – 3D – 3L
New Zealand are a footballing anomaly — in 2010 they became the only team to remain unbeaten throughout the entire group stage without advancing, drawing all three matches against Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay. The All Whites have qualified twice across 44 years of trying, operating in the vast Oceania/OFC qualification pathway. Chris Wood leads the modern generation.
Tournament Eras
The 1982 Debut
1982New Zealand made their World Cup debut in Spain 1982 — losing all three group games to Scotland, USSR, and Brazil, but scoring in each. Steve Sumner became the first New Zealander to score at a World Cup against Scotland. The debut raised football's profile in a rugby-dominated nation.
The 2010 Unbeaten Group — Never Beaten, Never Through
2010New Zealand's 2010 campaign in South Africa produced one of football's great paradoxes. They drew with Slovakia (1-1), held Italy — the defending world champions — to a 1-1 draw, and drew 0-0 with Paraguay. Three points, zero goals conceded in the last two matches, and still eliminated. They remain the only nation to go unbeaten through a World Cup group stage without advancing.
Iconic Moments
Drawing with World Champions Italy — 2010
Goalkeeper Mark Paston made a string of saves as New Zealand held the defending World Champions Italy to a 1-1 draw. Winston Reid's first-half header and Paston's heroics produced one of the tournament's great upsets. Italy eventually failed to advance from the group themselves.