Fifa World Cup: Chris Wood, Tommy Smith make history as New Zealand name 26-man squad
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has sprung minimal surprises in his 26-man squad to head to this year’s Fifa World Cup in North America.
As the third country to confirm their final squad to head to the United States, Canada and Mexico next month, New Zealand have been able to select a tried and trusted group, with every player having earned at least one cap.
The pair of Chris Wood and Tommy Smith both make history as the first New Zealanders to appear at two men’s World Cups. They were aged 18 and 20 at South Africa 2010, and will head to the US at 34 and 36 respectively.
Wood has been named as the squad’s captain, and follows Steve Sumner (1982) and Ryan Nelsen (2010) in leading New Zealand to a World Cup.
“It is a privilege to be in this role and name a squad for the Fifa World Cup, the pinnacle of the game and the dream of everyone who plays,” Bazeley said.
“We have spent the last few years building to this moment and tracking around 55 players in contention to make it on to the plane to Canada, Mexico, the USA.
“As a coaching team, we have selected a squad that we feel will put us in the best place to perform; a blend of really exciting young talent and experienced players to maximise our chances of winning games and getting out of our group.
“This is never going to be an easy process, and the responsibility isn’t lost on us, but I’m confident we have landed on the best possible squad to face Iran, Egypt, Belgium and beyond.
“Now the time for discussions is over. We need to head to the tournament and take the opportunity in front of us to make history for New Zealand.”
The inclusion of Smith, who is playing non-league football in England, comes alongside fellow central defenders Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Nando Pijnaker and Finn Surman, while Wellington Phoenix’s Bill Tuiloma has missed the cut.
In the forward line, Wood will be supported by Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Waine and Callum McCowatt as out-and-out striker options, while Eli Just and Jesse Randall will add depth on the flanks.
Despite an impressive start to life with South African club Orlando Pirates, Andre de Jong is the unlucky striker to miss out.
While there is no genuine bolter, Australian-born Lachlan Bayliss is the least experienced member of the squad, having made his New Zealand debut earlier this year.
The 23-year-old has just two caps to his name, and joins an impressive collective of central midfielders, containing Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic and Ryan Thomas.
In goal, the selections of Max Crocombe and Alex Paulsen were never in doubt. However, Auckland FC’s Michael Woud has been picked as the all-important third, after his recent heroics in the A-League.
Crocombe appears to have beaten Paulsen in the race to be New Zealand’s first-choice goalkeeper, after being named to wear the No 1 jersey.
Woud’s selection comes ahead of Huddersfield Town’s Nik Tzanev, and the uncapped Kees Sims, currently playing for Swedish side GAIS.
The All Whites face Iran, Egypt and Belgium in this year’s tournament, starting on June 16 in Inglewood, California.
New Zealand squad:
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud
Defenders: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman
Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic, Ryan Thomas
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.
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