New Zealand's World Cup Hopes Rest on Chris Wood

Ranked 85th in the FIFA rankings, New Zealand is preparing for its third World Cup appearance, having previously participated in 1982 and 2010, where they ended their group stage journey with three draws, including a match against Italy. The team is led by English coach Darren Bazeley, who took charge of the senior national team in July 2023 after a long tenure with the Under-20 side. New Zealand's qualification for the World Cup was straightforward, as they entered the second round and secured 9 points from 3 matches against Tahiti, Vanuatu, and Samoa, scoring a total of 19 goals. In the final stage, they convincingly defeated Fiji 7-0 and New Caledonia 3-0.

Central to New Zealand's prospects is Chris Wood, the Nottingham Forest striker and the most prominent player in Bazeley's squad. Known for his physical strength and aerial prowess, Wood leads a team that, while lacking in extraordinary talent and technical skills, boasts commendable organization and dedication. The All Whites face challenges against fast players and in one-on-one situations, particularly in defense.

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The squad includes notable players like former Empoli defender Liberato Cacace, now with Wrexham, and Swansea midfielder Marko Stamenic.

Squad List Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe (Millwall), Alex Paulsen (Lechia), Michael Woud (Auckland FC) Defenders: Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Francis De Vries (Auckland FC), Tyler Bindon (Sheffield Utd), Michael Boxall (Minnesota Utd), Liberato Cacace (Wrexham), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), Tommy Smith (Braintree Town) Midfielders: Joe Bell (Viking), Marko Stamenic (Swansea City), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle), Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets) Forwards: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest), Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), Matt Garbett (Peterborough Utd), Eli Just (Motherwell), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg), Ben Old (Saint-Etienne), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix)

Probable Line-up (4-4-2): Crocombe; Payne, Boxall, Bindon, Cacace; Just, Singh, Stamenic, Randall; Garbett, Wood. Coach: Bazeley.