Midfielder Matt Garbett was left out of New Zealand’s World Cup squad on Monday, hours before the team’s opening match against Iran.
New Zealand Football posted a statement on social media saying Garbett had injured his hamstring in training this weekend.
«The thoughts of the entire squad are with Matt at this time and we are sorry he will not be able to play in the tournament,» New Zealand Football said.
Garbett, 24, who plays for Peterborough in England’s third division, has made 38 appearances for New Zealand and scored five goals. He played in New Zealand’s 1-0 friendly defeat by England in Florida earlier this month.
Garbett has been replaced in the 26-man squad by Auckland FC striker Logan Rogerson.
New Zealand, which is playing in the World Cup for the first time since 2010, is in group G with Iran, Egypt and Belgium.
Published on June 16, 2026
