New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley named veteran defender Tommy Smith and Australia-based rookie midfielder Lachlan Bayliss in his World Cup squad on Thursday.
Center back Smith, a member of New Zealand’s 2010 World Cup squad, has not played for the All Whites since 2024 but will join captain Chris Wood in the 26-man squad for the June 11 to July 19 tournament.
Fullback Liberato Cacace was included despite an injury-plagued season at Welsh club Wrexham, joining Auckland FC’s Francis de Vries, who has been sidelined for five weeks with a calf injury.
New Zealand have been drawn into Group G at the 2026 World Cup, along with Egypt, Iran and Belgium, and will start their campaign against the Iranians on June 16.
New Zealand World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud
Defenders: Callan Elliot, Tim Payne; Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman; Liberato Cacace, Franciscus de Vries
Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Eli Just, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas
Forward: Kosta Barbarouses, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood
Published on May 14, 2026
