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Sport Nation
All Whites confirm starting XI for World Cup opener after losing key midfielder
Sport Nation • June 16th, 2026 11:30 am
Matthew Garbett | Photo: Photosport
The All Whites have been dealt a cruel injury blow just hours before their World Cup opener against Iran.
Midfielder Matthew Garbett has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury suffered during training on Monday (NZ time).
The 24-year-old who plays for English League One side Peterborough United was expected to be named in Darren Bazeley's starting side for the team's first match at Los Angeles Stadium on Tuesday.
Instead, it will be Callum McCowatt who'll run out as part of an attacking midfield in a line-up otherwise unchanged from that which fell 1-0 to England in their warm-up match on June 7.
"The whole squad’s thoughts are with Matt at this time and we are gutted he won’t be able to play in the tournament," the team posted on social media.
Auckland FC's Logan Rogerson has been called up to join the squad in the US as Garbett's replacement.
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