Forest’s Chris Wood Leads All Whites Squad as World Cup Dreams Edge Closer

Nottingham Forest’s leading striker, Chris Wood, has been announced as part of New Zealand’s squad on Tuesday, gearing up for crucial matches that could see them qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.

The All Whites are set to clash with Fiji in the semi-finals of the Oceania qualifying tournament in Wellington on March 21, while New Caledonia will take on Tahiti on the same date.

The winners of these matches will face off at Auckland’s Eden Park just three days later, with the victor earning a spot in the 2026 World Cup in North America, marking the first time an Oceania team has been granted direct entry.

This successful team will join co-hosts the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

New Zealand has previously participated in the World Cup twice, in 1982 and 2010, but they have yet to secure a victory.

The All Whites are considered strong favourites for this qualification, but coach Darren Bazeley remains cautious and is not taking things lightly.

“We’re at the critical stage of the competition now and understand the importance of performing well in these matches to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010,” he stated.

“We’re not taking anything for granted; the entire squad is fully committed to achieving our goals this month.”

Leading the 23-man squad is Wood, who is in sensational form, having netted 18 goals in the English Premier League this season.

“Over the past year, we’ve maintained consistency in our selections to foster team cohesion. This way, when players arrive for camp, they know what is expected, especially given our limited time together and the need to perform,” Bazeley explained.

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe (Burton Albion), Alex Paulsen (Auckland FC), Oli Sail (Perth Glory)

Defenders: Tyler Bindon (Reading FC), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), Liberato Caccace (Empoli FC), Francis de Vries (Auckland FC), Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Storm Roux (Central Coast Mariners), Tommy Smith (Auckland FC)

Midfielders: Joe Bell (Viking FK), Matt Garbett (NAC Breda), Eli Just (SKN St. Polten), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Sarpreet Singh (UD Leiria), Marko Stamenic (Olympiacos)

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg IF), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), Logan Rogerson (Auckland FC), Ben Waine (Mansfield Town), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)