New Zealand's All Whites qualify for Football World Cup 2026

New Zealand's men's football team, the All Whites, has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years. They secured their spot with a 3-0 victory against New Caledonia in their final qualifier. This will be only their third appearance in World Cup history. Head coach Darren Bazeley faces tough decisions as he must choose 26 players to take to the tournament next June. Excitement is high among fans and players, but not everyone will make the cut. In goal, Max Crocombe is expected to lead, with Alex Paulsen and Oli Sail also in contention. Young goalkeepers Alby Kelly-Heald and Henry Gray might be considered if the squad includes a fourth keeper. Defensively, Libby Cacace and Francis de Vries are anticipated starters. Tim Payne, Michael Boxall, and Tyler Bindon are also likely to join them. Players like Storm Roux and Tommy Smith could make the squad as well, while others work to secure their spots. In midfield, Marko Stamenic, Joe Bell, Ben Old, and Sarpreet Singh are seen as certain selections. Alex Rufer and Matt Garbett will push for places too, while Ryan Thomas could return if he stays healthy. Forwards Chris Wood and Kosta Barbarouses are expected to be key players. Logan Rogerson and Jesse Randall are strong candidates, while 17-year-old Luke Brooke-Smith might surprise everyone if he shows promise in the coming months.