The All Whites have named a full-strength squad for their two home FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Vanuatu at FMG Stadium Waikato in Kirikiriroa Hamilton (15 November), and Samoa at Go Media Stadium in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (18 November).
Head coach Darren Bazeley has named 24 players for the two matches with Joe Bell, Callum McCowatt, Sarpreet Singh, and Finn Surman back after not being part of the team that won both October fixtures against Tahiti and Malaysia.
There is also a return for Auckland FC defender Francis de Vries having not featured for the last year.
After a breakout start to the A-League Men season, Auckland FC attacker Liam Gillion has been selected for his All Whites debut.
The full squad is:
Kosta Barbarouses (64 caps/7 goals) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Joe Bell (20/1) Viking FK, Norway
Tyler Bindon (12/0) Reading FC, England
Michael Boxall (52/0) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (29/1) Empoli FC, Italy
Max Crocombe (12/0) Burton Albion, England
Matt Garbett (26/4) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Liam Gillion* (0/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Eli Just (30/4) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from Horsens)
Callum McCowatt (19/2) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
Alex Paulsen (2/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
Tim Payne (41/2) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (22/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Logan Rogerson (13/2) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Storm Roux (13/0) Central Coast Mariners, Australia
Alex Rufer (17/0) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia
Sarpreet Singh (14/1) U.D. Leiria, Portugal
Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Marko Stamenić (25/1) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Finn Surman (6/1) Portland Timbers, USA
Francis de Vries (7/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ben Waine (20/7) Mansfield Town, England (on loan from Plymouth Argyle)
Chris Wood (78/36) Nottingham Forest, England
*All Whites debut call-up
Head coach Darren Bazeley said:
“Qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the absolute priority for us, so we have named the strongest side we can for these games.
“It is great to welcome back Joe Bell, Callum McCowatt, Sarpreet Singh, and Finn Surman to the squad, as well as Francis de Vries for the first time in over a year after a great start with Auckland FC.
“It is always special to name a player for their debut, but Liam Gillion has earned his call-up after some really impressive performances for Auckland FC to start his professional career.
“It is getting more and more challenging to select an All Whites squad with the amount of players around the world now pushing for selection, but these are the kinds of challenges you want as a coach.
“Connection and culture are really important for this team, so it is special to be playing so many games at home, giving us the opportunity to engage with the country as we continue the journey to earn our place back at the FIFA World Cup.”
Tickets for both games are $20 for adults and $5 for children (plus ticketing fees) and available from Ticketek at https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=NZF2024
All games are available live and free on FIFA+.
UPCOMING FIXTURES:
15 November 2024 KO 7:30pm NZT
All Whites vs Vanuatu
FIFA World Cup 2026 – OFC Qualifiers
FMG Stadium Waikato, Kirikiriroa Hamilton
18 November 2024 KO 7:30pm NZT
All Whites vs Samoa
FIFA World Cup 2026 – OFC Qualifiers
Go Media Stadium, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Article added: Wednesday 06 November 2024
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