New Zealand captain Chris Wood has confirmed he is fully fit and ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after recovering from left knee surgery in December 2025. The 34-year-old striker returned to play for Nottingham Forest in April 2026 and has been competing regularly in the lead-up to the tournament, which begins on June 11 in North America [1, 2].
Wood is New Zealand’s all-time top scorer with 45 goals in 88 international appearances. He and teammate Tommy Smith are the only players in the current squad who also represented the country at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where New Zealand went unbeaten in the group stage [1, 2].
Wood described the current New Zealand team as more technical and possession-focused compared to the physical style of 2010. He said, “I’m just happy to be back firing both for Forest and for the national team coming into this World Cup period. And it’s just given me that hunger to strive and achieve more, definitely” [1].
New Zealand faces Iran, Egypt, and Belgium in the group stage, from June 11 to July 19. The team will open its campaign against Iran on June 15 in Los Angeles. Wood acknowledged Iran is a strong opponent, ranking around 21st or 22nd in the world. “They’re going to be tough to beat and tough to perform against,” he said. The New Zealand coaching staff is preparing meticulously for the encounter [1, 2].
Wood said the squad aims to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. “We’re under no illusion it’s going to be tough, but we think we’ve got the quality in our dressing room to be able to do that,” he added [1].