Wellington, NZ — New Zealand’s national football team has named 23-year-old Tommy Smith and 28-year-old Chris Wood to its provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, signaling a bet on seasoned leaders to stabilize a defense rocked by injuries.
The call-up was confirmed late Friday by head coach Darren Bazeley, who cited the need for defensive depth ahead of the opening qualifier against Fiji on June 10 at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. Smith, who returned to full training this week after a six-week layoff, will likely start, while Wood—recovering from a persistent ankle problem—has been named as a precautionary option.
Key Points
- ✅ Tommy Smith (23) returns after six weeks out with a hamstring strain
- ⚡ Chris Wood (28) joins squad despite lingering ankle injury
- 💡 First call-up for both players since March’s friendly against Australia
Bazeley’s selection has drawn mixed reactions from fans, with some questioning the timing given the players’ fitness doubts. But the coach defended the move, telling reporters, “We’re not selecting players based on optimism. We’re selecting them because they’ve met the medical benchmarks.”
| Player | Age | Position | Last Competitive Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Smith | 23 | Centre-back | March 25, vs Australia |
| Chris Wood | 28 | Right-back | February 28, vs Oman |
The provisional squad includes 11 uncapped players, with four making their first international call-up. Among them is 19-year-old midfielder Liam Turner from Wellington Phoenix, who has impressed in recent A-League performances. Turner’s inclusion reflects Bazeley’s strategy to blend youth with experience as the All Whites aim for their first World Cup appearance since 2010.
📋 By The Numbers
- 23 total players — Provisional squad size for qualifiers
- 11 uncapped players — Nearly half the squad making debuts
- 40°C heat forecast — Expected conditions for Fiji match
Fiji, ranked 103rd globally, is widely seen as the weakest opponent in New Zealand’s group, which also includes Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. However, Bazeley cautioned against complacency, stating, “Fiji will be desperate. They’ve lost their last two qualifiers, and their players are fighting for their futures.”
💡 Pro Tip
For fans attending the Fiji match, arrive at Mount Smart Stadium at least 90 minutes early. Entry lines and bag checks create bottlenecks, and the first 5,000 fans receive a free limited-edition scarf.
The All Whites have not played a competitive match in New Zealand since their 2-1 loss to Australia in March. The Fiji qualifier marks their first home fixture in front of a predicted sell-out crowd of 30,000. A win would extend New Zealand’s unbeaten streak against Fiji to nine matches, but Bazeley’s priority is fitness over results. “We need to see these players on the pitch under pressure,” he said. “That’s the only way we’ll know if they’re ready.”
- June 10 — Fiji vs New Zealand, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
- June 14 — Vanuatu vs New Zealand, Luganville Soccer Stadium
- June 18 — Cook Islands vs New Zealand, CIFA Academy Field, Rarotonga
Wood, who last played for the All Whites in February, admitted his inclusion is “a gamble,” but added, “If the coach thinks I can help, I’ll give everything.” Smith, returning from injury, called the call-up “a huge relief” and vowed to prove his fitness in training.
- 📊 Fiji has scored just twice in their last five World Cup qualifiers
- 🔍 Wood’s ankle injury required three cortisone injections to manage
- ⚠️ Smith’s hamstring strain initially ruled him out for eight weeks