🇳🇿 New Zealand
World Cup 2026 | Group G | Power rating | World rank #46
About New Zealand
New Zealand are Oceania's flag-bearer at the World Cup. An OFC side, they enter the 2026 World Cup rated 1592 -46th of the 48 teams -in Group G.
Famously unbeaten at the 2010 World Cup, drawing all three of their group games. Physically strong and organised, dangerous in the air and on set pieces.
Drawn alongside Belgium, Iran and Egypt, their toughest group test on paper is the meeting with Belgium. The model lists them 4th in the group and to fall short of the knockout rounds.
Detailed team profile
Overview
New Zealand return as Oceania's direct qualifier, relying on collective organisation and Chris Wood's penalty-box presence.
World Cup history
This is New Zealand's third World Cup appearance after 1982 and 2010. Their 2010 side famously went unbeaten with three draws but still exited in the group stage.
Recent form
New Zealand qualified by beating New Caledonia 3-0 in the OFC final at Eden Park.
2026 World Cup angle
Group G is a major step up against Belgium, Egypt and Iran, so New Zealand's clearest path is to stay compact and turn low-scoring matches into points. A first World Cup finals win would be a major milestone.