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'We’re not scared': Bazeley eyes World Cup challenge after home tests
Kieran Bingham • January 20th, 2026 12:38 pm
Darren Bazeley | Photo: AP
The All Whites have confirmed their final home fixtures ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, locking in matches against Chile and Finland in March.
The fixtures mark the first time a men’s UEFA nation has played in New Zealand in more than 30 years. Cape Verde will also feature as part of the FIFA Series, with both double headers to be played at Eden Park on Friday, March 27 and Monday, March 30.
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley says opportunities like this are rare on home soil.
“We don't often get to play good games here in New Zealand," Bazeley told Sport Nation.
“We've had our OFC qualifiers in New Zealand recently but these are bigger games and where we're able to bring high-ranked good opposition to these shores, it’s pretty rare.”
Having qualified for their third World Cup last March, Bazeley believes New Zealand is starting to earn greater respect internationally.
“I think we are becoming a bit more attractive to teams. We've qualified for the World Cup, we've put on good performances over the last few years… maybe we do get a bit more respect.
“It’s difficult for other teams to travel to New Zealand. But we've got teams here willing to do that, which is great.”
Chile, currently ranked No. 52 in the world, and Finland, ranked No. 75, will provide valuable preparation despite both missing World Cup qualification.
“That's not to say they're not good teams, they are good teams but I think their qualification route is a little bit harder, obviously through Europe and South America, so there'll be good challenges.
“Not necessarily replicating the World Cup with Iran, Egypt and Belgium but they're still great games. I think the key is we're at home, we get to play in front of the fans, the players get to see their friends and family just before the World Cup, so I think it's an awesome opportunity.”
The All Whites will open their World Cup campaign against Iran, ranked 20th in the world, in Los Angeles, before facing Egypt in Vancouver. They finish the group stage against Belgium, currently ranked ninth, also in Vancouver.
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It's the clash with Egypt that has caught Bazeley’s attention, with the threat of Mohamed Salah looming large.
“I'm a Liverpool supporter so I follow him (Salah) quite regularly, but any team with Salah and (Omar) Marmoush in, they're a threat.
“They're obviously a strong team, but we're not scared of them.”
March selection will closely resemble World Cup planning, though it will not be final.
“We'll pick the strongest squad as we can for March because we always do, depending on availability of players.
“It won't be the World Cup squad, I'm pretty sure, because the World Cup has got to be 26 (players) and we'll probably only bring 23, 24 for March. It’ll be as close as we can get.
“Consistency is key for us, why would we suddenly change that, the window before the World Cup? But, it's not necessarily a means that if you're not selected in March, you couldn't make the World Cup squad, there's still a lot of football to be played post-March before that squad's named.”
The biggest talking point remains the fitness of captain and all-time leading scorer Chris Wood, who has been sidelined since mid-October with a knee injury.
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche recently said, “Woody is making slow but sure progress,” but Bazeley admits there is still uncertainty around his return.
“The honest answer is we have no date. What I do know is that Woodsy and Forrest want him back playing as soon as possible.
“They’ll (Nottingham Forest) be doing everything they can in his recovery to make sure that he's back playing quickly but the most important thing is that he is back and he's fully fit.
“And for us, we'd love to have Woodsy for March, whether that happens or not, we'll see, but the key for us is that he's fully fit by the time the World Cup comes around.”
Listen to the full interview below:
