FIFA World Cup 2026 New Zealand: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Sixteen years is a long time to wait. The All Whites last played World Cup football in South Africa in 2010, when they came home unbeaten but still eliminated. Now New Zealand is back, drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran for the FIFA World Cup 2026. It is the third appearance in the country’s history, and the first under head coach Darren Bazeley.
Bazeley took charge in 2023 and steered the All Whites through one of the most dominant OFC qualifying campaigns on record. New Zealand enter the tournament ranked 85th in the world as of April 1, 2026.
For a football nation still fighting for space in a rugby-first culture, reaching a third World Cup is a genuine milestone.
New Zealand World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
In June 2026, New Zealand observes New Zealand Standard Time (NZST), UTC+12. Daylight saving ends in April, so no clock changes apply. All three group matches fall in the afternoon back home.
| Date | Opponent | Time (NZST) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 16 (Mon) | Iran | 1:00 PM | June 15, 9 PM | Los Angeles Stadium |
| June 22 (Mon) | Egypt | 1:00 PM | June 21, 9 PM | Vancouver Stadium |
| June 27 (Sat) | Belgium | 3:00 PM | June 26, 11 PM | Vancouver Stadium |
Two of three group games take place in Vancouver, giving the All Whites a Canadian base for most of the group stage. The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 32, and the eight best third-placed teams also move on.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in New Zealand
TVNZ holds the broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in New Zealand. Every All Whites match is live and free on TVNZ 1 and the free streaming platform TVNZ+.
Fans who want every one of the 104 matches can buy the TVNZ+ Event Pass, with pricing to be confirmed closer to kick-off. Visit tvnz.co.nz/fifa2026 for full details.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 in New Zealand
TVNZ+ is the primary streaming destination for New Zealand fans. Sign-up is free and the platform is available on iOS, Android, smart TVs, and web browsers. All Whites matches stream at no cost.
The TVNZ+ Event Pass unlocks all 104 matches once pricing is announced. FIFA+ may also stream selected matches globally, though geo-restrictions could apply given TVNZ’s exclusive deal.
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in New Zealand
RNZ (Radio New Zealand) is the most likely radio home for All Whites commentary, having covered major fixtures in past campaigns. Check rnz.co.nz as the tournament approaches for confirmed radio scheduling. Audio highlights and podcast replays are also expected to be available through TVNZ+.
New Zealand World Cup History & Record
New Zealand has two previous World Cup appearances and carries one of the most unusual records in tournament history. They have never won a World Cup match. Yet in 2010, they left the tournament unbeaten. Both of those facts are true at the same time.
1982 (Spain). New Zealand’s debut was painful. They lost all three group matches, conceding 12 goals. A 5-2 defeat to Scotland was followed by a 3-0 loss to the Soviet Union and a 4-0 thumping from Brazil. The world-level step up was steep.
2010 (South Africa). A completely different story. The All Whites drew 1-1 with Slovakia, then held defending champions Italy to a 1-1 draw, and finished with a 0-0 against Paraguay. Italy went out at the bottom of the group. New Zealand left with their heads high.
| Tournament | Stage | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 Spain | Group Stage | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 |
| 2010 South Africa | Group Stage | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
New Zealand World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Belgium are the clear favourites in Group G. Egypt and Iran represent genuine threats for the second and third spots. New Zealand need to be at their best from the first whistle, and the June 16 opener against Iran is the defining fixture. Win that, and progression to the Round of 32 becomes a realistic conversation. Lose it, and the path narrows sharply.
Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) is the cornerstone. He scored 20 Premier League goals in 2024-25, netted nine times in qualifying, and captains the side at 34.
Joe Bell (Viking FK) anchors the midfield. Named in the Eliteserien Team of the Year in 2025 as Viking won Norway’s title, Bell controls tempo and provides defensive shape.
Marko Stamenć (Swansea City) provides creativity in the middle, and Liberato Cacace (Wrexham) is the most technically gifted player in the squad at left back.
Bazeley’s approach is pragmatic. A compact 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 that absorbs pressure and counters through Wood. New Zealand qualified with five wins from five in OFC, scoring 29 goals and conceding one.
The challenge is that Belgium, Egypt, and Iran are a different level to anything faced in Oceania. Keeping clean against Iran is the first real test of this squad’s defensive structure.
New Zealand FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is New Zealand in at the 2026 World Cup?
New Zealand is in Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and Iran. Their three matches fall on June 16, June 22, and June 27 in local New Zealand time (NZST).
When is New Zealand’s first match at the 2026 World Cup?
The All Whites open against Iran on June 16 at 1:00 PM NZST (June 15, 9 PM ET) at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California.
How did New Zealand qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
New Zealand won the OFC qualifying tournament without a single defeat. They beat Tahiti 3-0, Vanuatu 8-1, and Samoa 8-0 in the group stage, then beat Fiji 7-0 in the semi-final and New Caledonia 3-0 in the final at Eden Park.
How can New Zealand fans watch the All Whites for free?
Every All Whites match is free on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ in New Zealand. No subscription is needed for those games. A TVNZ+ Event Pass will be required for access to all 104 matches, with pricing to be announced.
Who is the New Zealand head coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Darren Bazeley has been head coach since 2023. The former Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers defender first joined New Zealand Football in 2009 and oversaw the dominant OFC qualifying run.
What is New Zealand’s best World Cup finish?
The group stage is New Zealand’s best finish at both previous appearances. Their 2010 campaign stands out: three draws, zero losses, and a 1-1 result against world champions Italy. They have never won a World Cup match.
Do New Zealand passport holders need a visa for the USA?
New Zealand is part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Passport holders can travel to the USA for up to 90 days without a visa but must obtain approved ESTA authorisation before departure.
Who are New Zealand’s key players for World Cup 2026?
Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) leads the line as captain and record scorer. Joe Bell (Viking FK) and Marko Stamenć (Swansea City) drive the midfield, and Liberato Cacace (Wrexham) provides width and quality at left back.
The All Whites return to the World Cup stage for the first time in 16 years with purpose. World Cup 2026 New Zealand represents a chance to change the history books and record that first-ever win.
Whether the group stage provides the opportunity depends on how much of their qualifying form they can carry into the real thing.
