All Whites back at the World Cup after 16-year wait

The All Whites are back on football's biggest stage. New Zealand return to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years, securing their spot at the 2026 tournament for only the third appearance in the nation's history. Currently based in Florida as they prepare for a friendly against England, the squad is being used as opposition for Thomas Tuchel's side as the English boss fine-tunes his selections ahead of the World Cup. While the focus of the buildup has leaned heavily on England's preparation and individual player narratives, New Zealand's mere presence in the tournament marks a significant milestone after a long absence from global football's showpiece event.