New Zealand
Eliminated in the group stage
Finished 4th in Group G
New Zealand, known as the All Whites, are out, finishing bottom of Group G.
Ranked 84th, they were the lowest-ranked team in the group, and the gap proved too big this time.
Veteran captain Chris Wood, still leading the attack at 38, was the name everyone watched.
New Zealand's 2026 World Cup matches
See the full Group G standings →New Zealand squad and manager
Manager: Darren Bazeley
| 👕 No. | 🧑 Player | 🛡️ Club |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers (3) | ||
| 1 | Max Crocombe | Millwall |
| 12 | Alex Paulsen | Lechia Gdańsk |
| 22 | Michael Woud | Auckland FC |
| Defenders (9) | ||
| 2 | Tim Payne | Wellington Phoenix |
| 3 | Francis de Vries | Auckland FC |
| 4 | Tyler Bindon | Sheffield United |
| 5 | Michael Boxall | Minnesota United FC |
| 13 | Liberato Cacace | Wrexham |
| 15 | Nando Pijnaker | Auckland FC |
| 16 | Finn Surman | Portland Timbers |
| 24 | Callan Elliot | Auckland FC |
| 26 | Tommy Smith | Braintree Town |
| Midfielders (10) | ||
| 6 | Joe Bell | Viking |
| 7 | Matthew Garbett | Peterborough United |
| 8 | Marko Stamenić | Swansea City |
| 10 | Sarpreet Singh | Wellington Phoenix |
| 11 | Elijah Just | Motherwell |
| 14 | Alex Rufer | Wellington Phoenix |
| 19 | Ben Old | Saint-Étienne |
| 20 | Callum McCowatt | Silkeborg |
| 23 | Ryan Thomas | PEC Zwolle |
| 25 | Lachlan Bayliss | Newcastle Jets |
| Forwards (4) | ||
| 9 | Chris Wood | Nottingham Forest |
| 17 | Kosta Barbarouses | Western Sydney Wanderers |
| 18 | Ben Waine | Port Vale |
| 21 | Jesse Randall | Auckland FC |
New Zealand at the World Cup
- FIFA ranking
- #89
- World Cup appearance
- 3rd
- Best finish
- Group stage
- Confederation
- OFC
- Group
- Group G
How did the All Whites do at their World Cup?
New Zealand are out, finishing at the bottom of Group G with 1 point, but they go home with their heads held high.
As the lowest-ranked team in the group, ranked 84th, they were never expected to escape, and yet they made the big names work for everything.
It started with a stunning 2-2 draw against Iran, a result wildly above what anyone predicted from them.
The hero that night was Elijah Just, who scored twice to drag his side level against a far higher-ranked team.
From there the quality gap showed, and the points dried up against stronger sides.
The talisman throughout was 38-year-old captain Chris Wood, a proven striker who never stopped leading the attack.
Coach Darren Bazeley built a team that feared nobody and played with total freedom, exactly the way an underdog should.
Their best-ever World Cup has always been the group stage, so the bar was simply to compete, and they did that with pride.
After grabbing a point off Iran and pushing the rest hard, the mood is fond and fearless, a small nation that punched up and enjoyed every minute.
New Zealand's recent results
- L0-1EnglandJune 6, 2026Friendly
- L0-4HaitiJune 2, 2026Friendly
- W4-1ChileMarch 30, 2026FIFA Series
Last 12 months before the tournament. Source: international match records.
Common questions
Which group were New Zealand in at the 2026 World Cup?
New Zealand were in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and Iran. They finished 4th in the group.
Who is New Zealand's manager?
New Zealand are managed by Darren Bazeley.
What is New Zealand's best World Cup result?
New Zealand's best World Cup result is Group stage.
Are New Zealand still in the 2026 World Cup?
No, New Zealand were knocked out in the group stage, finishing 4th in Group G.
What is New Zealand's FIFA ranking?
New Zealand are ranked 89 in the FIFA world rankings.