Chris Wood of New Zealand celebrates his goal with Ben Old of New Zealand. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has made five changes from the squad that qualified for the World Cup for next month's internationals against Cote d'Ivoire and Ukraine.
Defenders Finn Surman, Callan Elliot and Bill Tuiloma, goalkeeper Nik Tzanev and attacker Ben Old have all been included.
Tim Payne misses the matches as he awaits the birth of a child, while Oliu Sail, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson and Storm Roux are missing from the squad that played the Oceania World Cup qualifiers.
The All Whites (FIFA rank 86) face Côte d'Ivoire (41) and Ukraine (25) in the Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto, Canada.
With only five international windows before he is set to name his FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, Bazeley will be looking to give opportunities to a range of players to prove they deserve a place at the tournament next year.
Old has returned from injury and Surman is back after it was agreed between his Portant Timbers club and All Whites coaching staff he would miss the previous international window.
Samoa's Jarvis Vaai New Zealand's Finn Surman. FIFA World Cup 2026 - OFC Qualifiers, Samoa v New Zealand, Go Media Stadium Auckland, Monday 18 November 2024. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
"We have been lucky to play a number of home games over the last few windows, but it has always been the plan that heading into the FIFA World Cup next year we need to test ourselves, playing away, against a range of teams we could face in 2026," Bazeley said.
"To face two top 50 sides, in a tournament situation, in one of the FIFA World Cup 2026 host venues, is the perfect challenge for us.
"We have made a few changes to the squad from March which gives us the opportunity to look at some different players in the environment."
The All Whites will face Côte d'Ivoire on Sunday 8 June at 11am NZT (Saturday 7 June at 7pm local time) followed by Ukraine on Wednesday 11 June at 9am NZT (Tuesday 10 June at 5pm local time).
All Whites full squad
- Kosta Barbarouses (67 caps/9 goals) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
- Joe Bell (24/1) Viking FK, Norway
- Tyler Bindon (15/3) Reading FC, England (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
- Michael Boxall (55/1) Minnesota United, US
- Liberato Cacace (33/1) Empoli FC, Italy
- Max Crocombe (15/0) Burton Albion, England
- Callan Elliot (3/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand
- Matt Garbett (30/5) NAC Breda, Netherlands
- Eli Just (34/7) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from Horsens)
- Callum McCowatt (23/4) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
- Ben Old (12/1) AS Saint-Étienne, France
- Alex Paulsen (3/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
- Nando Pijnaker (23/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand
- Alex Rufer (19/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
- Sarpreet Singh (18/3) U.D. Leiria, Portugal
- Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand
- Marko Stamenić (29/2) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
- Finn Surman (7/1) Portland Timbers, US
- Bill Tuiloma (42/4) Charlotte FC, US
- Nik Tzanev (2/0) Northampton Town, England
- Francis de Vries (10/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand
- Ben Waine (23/8) Mansfield Town, England (on loan from Plymouth Argyle)
- Chris Wood (82/44) Nottingham Forest, England
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