New Zealand — FIFA World Cup 2026

Group GDarren Bazeley4-2-3-1
CalibrSports Strength Rating35 / 100

Will New Zealand Qualify from Group G?

Advance from Group22%
Reach Quarter-Final7%
Reach Semi-Final2%
Reach the Final1%
Win the World Cup0%

Powered by CalibrSports ML · Pre-tournament analysis

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Key Players for New Zealand at World Cup 2026

Chris Wood
ST

Nottingham Forest

Premier League proven goalscorer and New Zealand's all-time top scorer and on-field leader

Clayton Lewis
CM

CF Montréal

Creative midfielder and the engine of the All Whites midfield

Ryan Thomas
CM

PSV Eindhoven

Box-to-box midfielder who brings European quality and pressing intensity

New Zealand World Cup 2026 Squad

26-player squad · provisional, via SportMonks · finalized closer to kickoff

Goalkeepers(3)

Max Crocombe1Max Crocombe
Alex Paulsen12Alex Paulsen
Michael Woud22Michael Woud

Defenders(10)

Tim Payne2Tim Payne
Francis de Vries3Francis de Vries
Tyler Bindon4Tyler Bindon
Michael Boxall5Michael Boxall
Liberato Cacace13Liberato Cacace
Nando Pijnaker15Nando Pijnaker
Finn Surman16Finn Surman
Ben Old19Ben Old
Callan Elliot24Callan Elliot
Tommy Smith26Tommy Smith

Midfielders(8)

Joe Bell6Joe Bell
Matthew Garbett7Matthew Garbett
Marko Stamenić8Marko Stamenić
Sarpreet Singh10Sarpreet Singh
Alex Rufer14Alex Rufer
Callum McCowatt20Callum McCowatt
Ryan Thomas23Ryan Thomas
Lachlan Bayliss25Lachlan Bayliss

Attackers(5)

Chris Wood9Chris Wood
Elijah Just11Elijah Just
Kosta Barbarouses17Kosta Barbarouses
Ben Waine18Ben Waine
Jesse Randall21Jesse Randall

New Zealand Manager & Playing Style

Manager

Darren Bazeley

Formation

4-2-3-1

Hard-working and compact off the ball, relying on Chris Wood's physical presence to hold possession and win aerial duels while the team defends deep.

New Zealand World Cup History

2010Group stage
2014Did not qualify
2022Did not qualify

New Zealand's Group G Opponents

1Belgium78 pts
2Egypt42 pts
3Iran41 pts
4New Zealand (this team)35 pts

WC 2026 Betting Angles for New Zealand

New Zealand to score — YES

Chris Wood is a reliable Premier League finisher; even against strong opposition New Zealand will create at least one clear opportunity, making them to score a decent value bet.

New Zealand group stage exit — YES

Drawn in the toughest group they could face, New Zealand are heavy outsiders to advance; group exit is almost certain and backing it early locks in value.

Both teams to score — Belgium vs NZL

Belgium's press leaves space on the counter and Wood can punish; BTTS at enhanced odds offers value in a game where Belgium are expected to dominate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will New Zealand qualify from the group stage?

CalibrSports ML gives New Zealand a 22% probability of advancing from Group G, based on squad strength and opponent ratings.

What are New Zealand's chances of winning WC 2026?

Our model gives New Zealand a 0% chance of winning the World Cup 2026.

Who is New Zealand's best player at WC 2026?

Chris Wood (ST at Nottingham Forest) — Premier League proven goalscorer and New Zealand's all-time top scorer and on-field leader

CalibrSports Verdict on New Zealand

New Zealand return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and are the underdogs in Group G. Darren Bazeley has built a competitive OFC outfit but the quality gap against Belgium, Egypt, and Iran is significant. Chris Wood's goals give them a puncher's chance in every game. CalibrSports gives New Zealand a 22% chance of advancing from Group G.

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