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In-stadium commentary at Mt SmartAll Whites squad named for World Cup warm-up tournament
Sport Nation • May 22nd, 2025 11:40 am
Photo: Masanori Udagawa/Photosport
The All Whites squad to face Côte d'Ivoire and Ukraine in next month’s Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto has been confirmed.
Head coach Darren Bazeley has named 23 players for the two-game series, with five changes from the group that secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in March.
AS Saint-Étienne attacker Ben Old returns from injury, while Portland Timbers defender Finn Surman is back in the mix after missing the last window by mutual agreement with his club.
Callan Elliot, Bill Tuiloma and goalkeeper Nik Tzanev have also been recalled.
Wellington Phoenix defender Tim Payne is unavailable with his partner expecting a child during the window.
The matches against Côte d'Ivoire (FIFA rank No. 41) and Ukraine (FIFA rank No. 25) offer strong competition with only five international windows remaining before the World Cup squad is named.
“Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup was a massive moment, but we know that is just a step on the journey for what we want to achieve as a team” says All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley.
“We have been lucky to play a number of home games over the last few windows, but it has always been the plan that heading into the FIFA World Cup next year we need to test ourselves, playing away, against a range of teams we could face in 2026.
“To face two top 50 sides, in a tournament situation, in one of the FIFA World Cup 2026 host venues, is the perfect challenge for us.
“We have made a few changes to the squad from March which gives us the opportunity to look at some different players in the environment."
The All Whites face Côte d'Ivoire on Sunday, June 8 at 11am (NZ time) and Ukraine on Wednesday, June 11 at 9am.
Matches will go to penalties if drawn, with three points for a win, two for a shootout win and one for a shootout loss.
Both matches will be played at BMO Field in Toronto and will be streamed live and free on FIFA+ via TVNZ+.
All Whites Squad
Kosta Barbarouses, Joe Bell, Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Max Crocombe, Callan Elliot, Matt Garbett, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Ben Old, Alex Paulsen, Nando Pijnaker, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Tommy Smith, Marko Stamenić, Finn Surman, Bill Tuiloma, Nik Tzanev, Francis de Vries, Ben Waine, Chris Wood.
The moment NZ qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Sport Nation
