Overview
- New Zealand unveiled a 26-player World Cup squad on Thursday in Auckland, confirming striker Chris Wood as captain.
- Wood, 34, takes the armband after returning about a month ago from a knee injury that kept him out for much of Nottingham Forest’s season.
- Coach Darren Bazeley recalled 36-year-old defender Tommy Smith, who now plays for Braintree Town in England’s fifth tier and last featured in 2024.
- Bazeley also selected 23-year-old midfielder Lachlan Bayliss just two months after his debut following a breakout year with the A-League’s Newcastle Jets.
- Drawn in Group G, the All Whites face Iran on June 15 in Los Angeles, then Egypt on June 21 and Belgium on June 26 in Vancouver as they seek a first-ever World Cup match win.