Chris Wood was named captain of New Zealand's World Cup squad on Thursday in Auckland, ahead of the 2026 tournament held across the US, Canada, and Mexico [1, 2]. The squad consists of 26 players, including veteran defender Tommy Smith, who brings leadership despite playing in England’s fifth tier for Braintree Town [1, 2].
New Zealand is ranked 85th by FIFA and has never won a World Cup match. The team’s previous appearances were in 1982, when they lost all three group games, and in 2010, when they drew all three matches but did not advance past the group stage [1, 2].
Wood, who has scored 45 goals in 88 international caps, played as a substitute in the 2010 World Cup and returned to action about a month ago following a knee injury that sidelined him for much of Nottingham Forest’s Premier League campaign [1, 2]. Wood said, "It’s been a long time, 16 years, since we’ve been in the World Cup. I can’t wait to share the moment with this team and hopefully create some history. I hope that we can do everybody proud and show the world what we’re capable of." [1]
Coach Darren Bazeley emphasized the value of Smith’s experience and leadership. "With a squad of 26, not everybody is going to play. So we added Tommy because his leadership is great. He’s going to be so important for the players keeping everybody on track. We’ll lean on him a lot," Bazeley said [1].
Key midfielders expected to feature include Joe Bell, Marko Stamenic, Matt Garbett, Ryan Thomas, and rookie Lachlan Bayliss [1, 2]. Ten squad members currently play in the Australian A-League, including eight from New Zealand clubs Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix [1, 2].
New Zealand’s squad announcement comes as the team prepares to take part in its third World Cup, aiming to improve on past performances. The 2026 tournament kicks off later this year across the US, Canada, and Mexico [1, 2].