Almost have of New Zealand’s squad for 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifiers is made up for Isuzu UTE A-League-based players as the All Whites look to punch their ticket to next year’s showpiece tournament.
There are 11 A-Leagues stars in Darren Bazeley’s 23-player squad – six from league-leading Auckland FC, three via Wellington Phoenix and one apiece from Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory.
Auckland FC: Alex Paulsen, Nando Pijnaker, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson, Tommy Smith, Francis de Vries
Central Coast Mariners: Storm Roux
Perth Glory: Oli Sail
Wellington Phoenix: Kosta Barbarouses, Tim Payne, Alex Rufer
New Zealand are set to face Fiji in the semi-final of the Oceania Qualifiers in Wellington on March 25, with the winner qualifying for the final against the winner of New Caledonia v Tahiti.
The Oceania Qualifiers victors will automatically qualify for the World Cup for the first time in history after the tournament was expanded giving an OFC side direct entry. Should the All Whites win, it will see New Zealand represented at the men’s showpiece for the first time in 16 years.
“This is the business end of the competition now and we know we have a job to do in these games to see us return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010,” said All Whites head coach Bazeley.
“We aren’t taking anything for granted, all of the squad are completely focused on what we want to achieve this month.
“It was brilliant to see the support we had last year, and it is exciting that we get the opportunity to fight for our place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in front of our own fans, we hope to see as many of you in the stands as possible.”
New Zealand squad
Kosta Barbarouses (65 caps/7 goals) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Joe Bell (22/1) Viking FK, Norway
Tyler Bindon (13/2) Reading FC, England (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Michael Boxall (53/0) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (31/1) Empoli FC, Italy
Max Crocombe (13/0) Burton Albion, England
Matt Garbett (28/5) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Eli Just (32/6) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from Horsens)
Callum McCowatt (21/4) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
Alex Paulsen (3/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
Tim Payne (41/2) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (23/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Jesse Randall (4/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Logan Rogerson (14/2) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Storm Roux (15/0) Central Coast Mariners, Australia
Alex Rufer (18/0) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia
Sarpreet Singh (16/2) U.D. Leiria, Portugal
Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Marko Stamenić (27/2) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Francis de Vries (8/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ben Waine (22/8) Mansfield Town, England (on loan from Plymouth Argyle)
Chris Wood (80/41) Nottingham Forest, England
