FRA 16.5%
ESP 16%
ENG 11.5%
POR 9.4%
ARG 8.9%
Tournament outlook
New Zealand will be physical and organised, with Chris Wood a real focal point. Competing with the world's best is a major step up from OFC qualifying.
Managed by Darren Bazeley, New Zealand head into the 2026 World Cup in Group G, where they face Belgium, Egypt, Iran. With a FIFA ranking of #85, expectations are calibrated accordingly, but tournament football has a way of rewriting the script.
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Key players
CW
Chris Wood
ST · Nottingham Forest
MS
Marko Stamenić
CM · Olympiacos
LC
Liberato Cacace
LB · Empoli
Strengths & weaknesses
▲ Strengths
- Aerial threat in Wood
- Organisation
- Team spirit
▼ Weaknesses
- Step up from Oceania level
- Lack of pace
How far can New Zealand go?
New Zealand will treat the group stage as their proving ground. An upset over a higher-ranked side would make their tournament a success. Follow our matchup previews and live odds throughout the group stage to track their progress.
