Chris Wood to lead New Zealand at the World Cup after an injury-troubled Premier League campaign
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has been selected to lead New Zealand's 26-strong World Cup squad despite an injury-disrupted season in the Premier League. Wood and 36-year-old defender Tommy Smith, who has been recalled from England's fifth-tier National League to join the All Whites squad for the first time since late 2024, will become the first New Zealand men to play at two soccer World Cups. Both were part of the New Zealand squad for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
As skipper, Wood follows Steve Sumner, who captained New Zealand to the World Cup in Spain in 1982, and Ryan Nelsen, who led the team in 2010. The New Zealand squad was announced Thursday by coach Darren Bazeley in Auckland. Bazeley said he faced a difficult task in paring the squad down after 40 players appeared for New Zealand in 10 matches over the last 15 months.
“It is a privilege to be in this role and name a squad for the FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of the game and the dream of everyone who plays” Bazeley said. “We have spent the last few years building to this moment and tracking around 55 players in contention to make it. ” Bazeley said the coaching team selected a squad they believe is best placed to maximize the All Whites' chances of advancing beyond the group stage.
“This is never going to be an easy process, and the responsibility isn’t lost on us,” he said, “but I’m confident we have landed on the best possible squad to face Iran, Egypt, Belgium, and beyond. ” New Zealand, ranked 85th, has been drawn into Group G with No. 9 Belgium, No.
20 Iran, and No. 29 Egypt. “Now the time for discussions is over, we need to head to the tournament and take the opportunity in front of us to make history for New Zealand,” Bazleley said.