[60115] New Zealand national team has released the squad for the 2026 World Cup ahead of the meeting with Iran
[60115] New Zealand national team has released the squad for the 2026 World Cup ahead of the meeting with Iran
The New Zealand national team has announced its final 26-player squad for the World Cup, led by striker Chris Wood, ahead of the start of the tournament and the match against the Iran national team.
2026 World Cup: New Zealand presents squad ahead of the meeting with Iran
Ahead of the opening of the 2026 World Cup tournament, the New Zealand national team has released its official 26-player squad. The New Zealand team, which constitutes Iran's first opponent in the tournament, is expected to meet the Iranians on June 16 (the 26th of the month of Khordad).
The reports come from a number of Iranian sports channels, among them ورزش سه and کانال هواداران استقلال, which emphasize that coach Darren Bazeley has included in the squad the team captain and senior striker, Chris Wood, who recently played in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest. Despite previous reports of his injury, Wood was included in the final list, which indicates that he is fit for the tournament.
According to Summary | خلاصه فوتبال, the squad includes a mix of players active in various leagues, including goalkeepers Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, and Michael Woud. In the defensive line, names such as Tim Payne, Bill Tuiloma, and Liberato Cacace stand out, while in the attacking department, players such as Kosta Barbarouses and Andre de Jong have been added.
خبرگزاری ایرنا, which is associated with official government positions in Iran, defined the publication as "preparation for the big tournament" and noted that for the New Zealand team, it is an "early warning" ahead of the upcoming rivalry. Most of the channels that covered the event, including آخرین خبر ورزشی, emphasized the tactical importance of including Wood in the New Zealand attacking front.