HeadlinesBriefing favicon HeadlinesBriefing.com

Chris Wood Leads Historic New Zealand World Cup Squad

ESPN Soccer •
×

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood headlines New Zealand's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his debut as team captain ahead of a challenging group-stage battle against Belgium, Iran, and Egypt. Despite a disrupted Premier League season, Wood, 31, aims to build on his 2010 World Cup appearance. Coach Darren Bazeley emphasized selecting a squad primed to exceed group-stage expectations, stating, 'We’ve tracked 55 players to land the best possible team,' highlighting New Zealand’s 85th ranking in FIFA’s latest standings.