New Zealand has done it. The All Whites are the second team to qualify for the World Cup on sporting merit, preventing an exotic team from making its debut.
New Zealand’s footballers have qualified for the final round of the World Cup for the third time. The favorites won the Oceania Zone final 3-0 (0-0) against New Caledonia at home in Auckland. Michael Boxall headed the hosts into the lead in the 61st minute after a corner kick. Kosta Barbarouses scored just five minutes later, and Elijah Just (80′) decided the game. Former Munich player Sarpreet Singh played from the start and was substituted in the 70th minute.
New Zealand were knocked out in the group stages at the 1982 World Cup in Spain and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Fifteen years ago, they didn’t get their first win, but they did manage three draws. This meant that the outsiders finished third in their group, ahead of the then world champions Italy. Next year, the New Zealanders, coached by Englishman Darren Bazeley, will take another shot at the title in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
New Caledonia can still hope to reach the World Cup, but as the loser of the final, the outsiders have nevertheless secured a place in the international play-off tournament.
Japan was the first team to qualify through the Asian qualifiers for the upcoming World Cup (June 11 to July 19, 2026). The three hosts USA, Canada and Mexico are seeded. For the first time, 48 teams will take part in the World Cup.
