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The Live Sport Bible is here!Coach Bazeley explains key calls in All Whites squad for FIFA World Cup
Sport Nation • May 14th, 2026 11:11 am
Tommy Smith | Photo: Photosport
The New Zealand squad to contest the upcoming FIFA World Cup has been confirmed.
Coach Darren Bazeley has announced a 26-strong group to travel to the US, Canada and Mexico for what will be the nation's third tilt at the planet's most popular sporting event and its first since 2010 in South Africa.
The most notable selection is the inclusion of veteran Tommy Smith at the expense of Wellington Phoenix's Bill Tuiloma.
Bazeley explained the decision to pick Smith made by himself and co-selectors Simon Elliott, Tony Redding, Paul Gothard was almost more to do with the role he'd be able to play away from the field, particularly with some of the younger players, amid the intensity of football's biggest stage.
"Having to sit down face to face with Bill was difficult," Bazeley told Sport Nation's Studs Up! live from the announcement at Auckland's Eden Park.
"(Smith) does add value off the pitch. He does bring - more so probably than any other player - that off-field experience and leadership. He's a bit of a cultural architect in regards to how he helps mould the environment.
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
"Last time we went to a World Cup, only 15 players played for New Zealand out of a big squad. I'm sure we'll have more players take the field this time, but there's still going to be potentially seven, eight players that don't play at this World Cup, and having Tommy around there is going to really help that and help those guys and make sure that the whole squad stays on track."
The 36-year-old boasts 56 international caps but hasn't represented since 2024. He was granted an early release from his deal with Auckland FC at the end of last year's A-League season to allow him to return to his native England with his family.
Bazeley admitted there was consideration given to selecting Smith as part of the coaching staff, eventually deciding such a move may compromise the impact of his off-field role.
"It was a potential option for us, but when we really looked at it, we felt like if we do that, we lose actually what we're looking for," he said.
"Tommy suddenly becomes not part of the playing group - even though he could still train and everything - he suddenly becomes different and the players would look upon him differently.
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley joins Sport Nation's Ric & Chappy live at Eden Park | Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
"He's been doing the role that we're going to ask from him at the World Cup for the last year, maybe last two years, and doing it really well.
"I would say he's potentially the only player that could affect the performance on the pitch by not being on the pitch - if that makes sense."
Another contentious area surrounded who would earn the nod as third-string goalkeeper to back up Max Crocombe and Alex Paulsen.
With Auckland FC's Oli Sail unavailable due to injury, the selectors boiled the race down to teammate Michael Woud and Huddersfield Town's Nik Tzanev, eventually settling on the former.
We decided to go for experience over youth in that position," he noted.
"Michael's having a great season, performing really well and currently in great form but Nik's not not played so much this season over in England."
Michael Woud | Photo: Photosport
The All Whites will play all of their Group G matches in Los Angeles and Vancouver, where they'll face Iran (LA), Egypt (Vancouver) and Belgium (Vancouver).
As to what would shape as a realistic expectation for the All Whites, Bazeley remains cautiously confident.
"We know it's going to be a challenge. We're the lowest ranked team at the whole tournament and these are good teams - Belgium, Egypt, and Iran are very good teams, highly ranked.
"We want to get out of the group. We want a win a game at a World Cup, and we know if we perform to our best and everyone's fit and available on the day and we perform the way we can, then we've got a chance against any of these teams.
"Over the last two years we've proved on our day we can compete with higher ranked teams. We can beat a Cote d'Ivoire, we can beat Chile, we go away to Ireland and America and Norway and compete with these teams.
"It's a challenge but we're all excited to get into these games and I think we're going to be a real surprise package for some."
Next up for the All Whites are a pair of warm-up matches in Florida, where they'll face Haiti (June 3) and England (June 7).
The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19.
All Whites World Cup squad
Max Crocombe, Tim Payne, Francis de Vries, Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Marko Stamenić, Chris Wood, Sarpreet Singh, Eli Just, Alex Paulsen, Liberato Cacace, Alex Rufer, Nando Pijnaker, Finn Surman, Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Waine, Ben Old, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Michael Woud, Ryan Thomas, Callan Elliot, Lachlan Bayliss, Tommy Smith
All Whites World Cup schedule (NZT)
Tuesday, June 16, 1pm: vs Iran - Los Angeles Stadium
Monday, June 22, 1pm: vs Egypt - BC Place Vancouver
Saturday, June 27, 3pm: vs Belgium - BC Place Vancouver
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What does the All Whites' first XI look like for FIFA World Cup 2026? | Sport Nation
