New Zealand have booked their spot at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup after a 3-0 win over New Caledonia in the Oceania Qualifiers Final on Monday night.
For the first time in history, the world’s smallest football confederation has a direct FIFA Men’s World Cup qualification spot thanks to the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 nations ahead of the 2026 edition; that qualification place now belongs to the All Whites after a 3-0 win settled with help from Isuzu UTE A-League stars who came off the bench after a goalless first half.
It’s just the third time New Zealand have qualified for a World Cup, ending a 15-year wait following the All Whites’ last appearance at the 2010 edition of the tournament in South Africa. New Zealand qualified for their first World Cup in 1982.
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Featured image: New Zealand Football
Auckland FC defender Francis De Vries provided the pinpoint corner delivery for Michael Boxall to head New Zealand into the lead in the 61st minute; the former Wellington Phoenix centre-back’s first-ever international goal released the pressure valve at Eden Park.
Five minutes later, Wellington Phoenix and A-Leagues legend Kosta Barbarouses doubled the lead having replaced Chris Wood at the point of the All Whites’ attack.
Barbarouses’ goal was set up by his Phoenix teammate Tim Payne; the Wellington full-back’s early cross was placed perfectly in Barbarouses’ path, who lobbed his finish over New Caledonia keeper Rocky Nyikeine to find the bottom-left corner.
Fellow All Whites substitute Elijah Just made it 3-0 with 10 minutes to play.
Monday night’s Oceania Qualifiers Final was anything but straightforward for New Zealand who took more than an hour to break the resolve of World No.152 New Caledonia. It was a nervy night at Eden Park but after Boxall’s opener, the heavily-fancied hosts eased to victory as their spot at the 2026 World Cup was confirmed.
Of the 23 players selected by All Whites head coach Darren Bazely for the March international window, 11 currently ply their trade in the Isuzu UTE A-League:
- Kosta Barbarouses, Wellington Phoenix
- Tim Payne, Wellington Phoenix
- Alex Rufer, Wellington Phoenix
- Alex Paulsen, Auckland FC
- Francis De Vries, Auckland FC
- Nando Pijnaker, Auckland FC
- Jesse Randall, Auckland FC
- Tommy Smith, Auckland FC
- Logan Rogerson, Auckland FC
- Oli Sail, Perth Glory
- Storm Roux, Central Coast Mariners
Having lost the Oceania Qualifiers Final, New Caledonia will progress to a six-team intercontinental playoff in March, from which two nations will secure places at the 2026 World Cup.
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