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Live sport on SN this weekendAll Whites head coach to depart at end of 2026
Sport Nation • October 24th, 2026 1:00 pm
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley will exit his role with the national team as his contract concludes at the end of 2026.
Bazeley has overseen a key period for the men’s national team programme, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010 at this year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
His tenure has seen a number of notable results over teams from outside the OFC region, including beating African champions Côte d'Ivoire, the side’s most high-profile victory in over a decade, as well as the stand-out 4-1 win over Chile at Eden Park in March this year ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Darren Bazeley & Ryan Thomas | Photo: Photosport
Highly experienced with youth development from head coach roles with the U-17, U-20, and U-23 sides, as well as All Whites assistant coach positions under both Anthony Hudson and Danny Hay, he gave 17 players their All Whites debuts at the same time as playing an exciting attacking style with the team that saw them come close to reaching the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Bazeley will conclude his time as All Whites head coach with the upcoming two-match home series vs India this November in Auckland, on 12 November at Go Media Stadium, and Christchurch on 15 November, with the first-ever international football match at the new One New Zealand Stadium.
Reflecting on his time in the role, Bazeley said: “It has been an honour to be All Whites head coach for the last four years and I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved as a team.
CEO of New Zealand Football Andrew Pragnell and New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley | Photo: Photosport
“I want to thank all of the players and staff I have worked with over this cycle and wish them the best for the next campaign.
“While I would have definitely been keen to be involved for the next cycle, I understand this is a football decision by New Zealand Football and ultimately we didn’t get the results we wanted.
“I believe we have been building something really exciting over the last four years with a young squad of players, so while I won’t be involved with the team, I look forward to seeing how they continue to develop ahead of the next FIFA World Cup as this is a group I really believe in.”
Darren Bazeley on the strong Kiwi culture within the All Whites | Sport Nation
Andrew Pragnell, CEO at New Zealand Football, said: “I want to thank Baze for everything he has done and achieved with this team at an important stage in our development as a football country.
“The number of young players he has brought through, the relationships he has with the team as well as the team culture he has helped to build, will lay the foundations of this side for years to come.
“I want to thank him for the numerous ways he has contributed to the game at all levels for many decades and wish him the absolute best for what he chooses to do next.”
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