New Zealand captain Chris Wood in action against USA, Cincinnati, 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Premier League striker Chris Wood headlines the All Whites squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifier, while Storm Roux is back in the fold for the first time in over two years.
Defender Roux replaces Bill Tuiloma in the squad which played against the USA and Mexico last month.
Also missing from that squad are midfielder Joe Bell and defender Finn Surman.
Nottingham Forest's Wood and defender Tommy Smith are the only players who remain from New Zealand's last World Cup campaign, in South Africa 14 years ago.
Liberato Cacace, who plays in Italy (Empoli FC), and Marko Stamenić, who is plying his trade in Greece (Olympiacos, on loan from Nottingham Forest), are also among the players named.
The 21-player squad has three changes from September's USA tour, with Reading FC defender Tyler Bindon, Auckland FC midfielder Cam Howieson, and Central Coast Mariners defender Storm Roux returning.
Liberato Cacace of New Zealand. Photo: Jenny Chuang / www.photosport.nz
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley was looking forward to getting his team together at an important moment for the side.
"It's always great to name an All Whites squad, but with this window marking both the start of our FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and our first home game of the year, it is particularly exciting.
"We have been building all year for this, so it is great to finally get underway as we look to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the third time in our history.
"This is a strong squad with real competition for places from the 50-plus players we are monitoring, we are having to make hard decisions which is what you want as a coach.
"It is great to welcome Storm back for this window after him not being available for the last couple of tours, as well as Cam and Tyler who weren't part of the USA tour, I know they all can't wait to be back out on the pitch again wearing the fern."
The All Whites take on Tahiti in a 2026 World Cup Qualifier in Vanuatu on 11 October before hosting Malaysia at North Harbour Stadium on 14 October.
The All Whites will play three matches in New Zealand this spring, with the team following up the Malaysia fixture with World Cup qualifying games against Oceania rivals Vanuatu in Hamilton on 15 November and Samoa in Auckland on 18 November.
GOALKEEPERS:
Max Crocombe (11/0) Burton Albion, England
Alex Paulsen (1/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia
DEFENDERS:
Tyler Bindon (10/0) Reading FC, England
Michael Boxall (51/0) Minnesota United, USA
Libby Cacace (27/1) Empoli FC, Italy
Tim Payne (39/2) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (21/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Storm Roux (11/0) Central Coast Mariners, Australia
Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Sam Sutton (3/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
MIDFIELDERS:
Matt Garbett (24/3) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Cam Howieson (20/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Alex Rufer (15/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Marko Stamenić (23/1) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
FORWARDS:
Kosta Barbarouses (62 caps/7 goals) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Eli Just (28/2) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from AC Horsens)
Ben Old (10/1) AS Saint Etienne, France
Logan Rogerson (11/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Ben Waine (18/6) Plymouth Argyle, England
Chris Wood (76/34) Nottingham Forest, England
