New Zealand has officially booked its place at the 2026 World Cup with a thrilling 3-0 victory over New Caledonia, but the All Whites’ triumph came at a cost. Star striker Chris Wood, who has been in sensational form for Nottingham Forest, was forced off with an injury, leaving fans worried about his fitness ahead of the global tournament.
The win, which secured New Zealand’s third-ever World Cup appearance, was powered by three second-half goals, sending the hosts into celebrations at Eden Park in Auckland. However, the victory was marred by a hip injury to Wood, who had to leave the pitch in the 54th minute after struggling to continue following a shot attempt.
“It’s not great for us losing our captain and goalscorer,” said New Zealand’s English coach, Darren Bazeley. “It was a difficult thing for the team, but they came through so well.”
New Zealand had dominated possession in the first half, but the breakthrough came after halftime. Veteran defender Michael Boxall opened the scoring in the 61st minute with his first-ever international goal, heading home from a corner. Just minutes later, Wood’s replacement, Kosta Barbarouses, doubled the lead with a cool chip over New Caledonia’s keeper, Rocky Nyikeine. Eli Just added a third goal with a close-range finish in the 80th minute, sealing the win for the All Whites.
While New Zealand celebrated qualification, New Caledonia, whose World Cup dreams have not yet been dashed, will now head into an intercontinental playoff for another chance to make history. The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, will feature a direct entry for the Oceania champions, marking a significant shift in the qualification process. Previously, the top team from Oceania had to navigate a difficult playoff route, with New Zealand falling short in recent cycles.
New Zealand, who have qualified for the World Cup twice before (1982 and 2010), are yet to secure a win at the tournament, but they are determined to make a statement next year. “Once the World Cup expanded, we expected this of ourselves,” said Boxall. “It’s not just about getting there; it’s about what we do when we get there.”
Despite the injury to Wood, New Zealand’s pressure finally broke New Caledonia’s resistance, showcasing their resilience and determination to secure a spot on football’s biggest stage. As they prepare for the 2026 World Cup, the All Whites’ road to the finals is now firmly in place though fans will be hoping that Wood recovers in time to lead them on the global stage.
