An Auckland FC quintet headlines New Zealand’s squad set to face Ivory Coast and Ukraine at next months’ Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto, Canada.
Seven Isuzu UTE A-League stars are included in the 23-player squad for the All Whites, who qualified for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in March.
Callan Elliot, Alex Paulsen, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith and Francis de Vries have been called up from reigning premiers Auckland, while Wellington Phoenix duo Kosta Barbarouses and Alex Rufer are also in the squad.
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Elliot has earned a re-call but Phoenix defender Tim Payne will miss the international window, with his partner due to give birth close to this period.
New Zealand will play 41st-ranked Ivory Coast on June 8 before going head-to-head with 25th-ranked Ukraine on June 11 at BMO Field in Toronto.
The tournament will award three points for a win, one point for a draw, and two points for a penalty shoot-out victory. All matches will have a winner and games will go directly to penalties after 90 minutes (plus injury time).
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“Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup was a massive moment, but we know that is just a step on the journey for what we want to achieve as a team” said All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley.
“We have been lucky to play a number of home games over the last few windows, but it has always been the plan that heading into the FIFA World Cup next year we need to test ourselves, playing away, against a range of teams we could face in 2026.
“To face two top 50 sides, in a tournament situation, in one of the FIFA World Cup 2026 host venues, is the perfect challenge for us.
“We have made a few changes to the squad from March which gives us the opportunity to look at some different players in the environment.
“We want real competition for places heading into the World Cup and the door is open for everyone to stake their claim to be part of the squad in 2026.”
New Zealand’s squad
Kosta Barbarouses (67 caps/9 goals) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Joe Bell (24/1) Viking FK, Norway
Tyler Bindon (15/3) Reading FC, England (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Michael Boxall (55/1) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (33/1) Empoli FC, Italy
Max Crocombe (15/0) Burton Albion, England
Callan Elliot (3/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Matt Garbett (30/5) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Eli Just (34/7) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from Horsens)
Callum McCowatt (23/4) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
Ben Old (12/1) AS Saint-Étienne, France
Alex Paulsen (3/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
Nando Pijnaker (23/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Alex Rufer (19/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Sarpreet Singh (18/3) U.D. Leiria, Portugal
Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Marko Stamenić (29/2) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Finn Surman (7/1) Portland Timbers, USA
Bill Tuiloma (42/4) Charlotte FC, USA
Nik Tzanev (2/0) Northampton Town, England
Francis de Vries (10/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Ben Waine (23/8) Mansfield Town, England (on loan from Plymouth Argyle)
Chris Wood (82/44) Nottingham Forest, England
