Originally, the All Whites weren’t even going to bother with the Nations Cup. They instead wanted to utilise the June international window for a pair of higher-quality friendlies... but then NZ Football remembered that you get multiplied world ranking points for confederation tournaments. Those FIFA rankings are suddenly going to become rather important if/when Aotearoa qualifies for the 2026 World Cup. That’s how they determine the seedings for the groups. With an expanded tournament there’ll be more dilution of quality hence more to be gained than ever from a good ranking... and currently New Zealand are lingering outside the top 100, nestled gently between Kazakhstan and Mauritania.

Confederation tournaments have their own windows, since they always go beyond the eight days that a regular window allows for. Thus Oceania Football have placed their tournament outside the June window. That’s not to say that the All Whites cannot call rank against clubs with their selection... more that they might not want to. Especially since the Olympics are coming up and this Nations Cup excursion made sense as further preparation for that. 10/21 players selected here are eligible, plus one or two others might be considered for the three overage spots.

That’s also how Chris Wood got stumped out of partaking. He’d already scheduled his wedding around the June window only to find out that the change of plans meant his nuptials would clash with the Nations Cup. Frankly, looking at the squad they’ve picked, he might not have been selected anyway. Particularly not if he’s being lined up as an overage Olympic player next month. Gotta give him some rest. Also, Tommy Smith is his best man for that wedding so he won’t be available until the last game of the group stage. No problemo.

While most club competitions are in between campaigns, the calendars differ around the world so guys like Michael Boxall (Minnesota United) and Bill Tuiloma (Charlotte FC) would have to miss club games to be available. That might have been worthwhile for Tuiloma who has only made two MLS appearances in the past 12 months but it wouldn’t have been the case for the everpresent Boxall, who is club captain in Minnesota. There are summer breaks in a few of the Scandinavian leagues so not all of the players whose club seasons are ongoing would necessarily be unavailable. That’d apply to Joe Bell (Viking in Norway) and Kees Sims (GAIS in Sweden). But those clubs to usually have training camps in that time. Nando Pijnaker’s Sligo Rovers season is also ongoing in Ireland but he’s out injured with a case of broken ribs right now anyway.

Then there are others who would be available but simply need a rest. Chief among those would be guys like Marko Stamenic and Matthew Garbett who played heaps of football across the 2023-24 term and are within the Olympic age range. Let ‘em freshen up for that instead. Garbs is probably still hungover from NAC Breda’s promotion celebrations, while Stamenic is reportedly in transfer negotiations with Coventry City as we speak.

What’s the point? The point is that this Nations Cup tournament is sort of like when the Blackcaps have those random tours to Europe or the Sub-Continental Asia for a few T20s. The ones where they take a squad with a few first eleven dudes but also quite a few fringe or developmental players. We saw something similar in Pakistan recently when all the IPL lads were unavailable. Those tours always get presented like the Blackcaps are being squeezed out as victims of world cricket’s power brokers and yet they actually turn out to be really important exercises in organically building out the team’s depth. This Nations Cup squad is the same thing.

Eight of the players who started against Egypt in the first game of the previous tour in March are not even in this squad. And that was a tour without Chris Wood. 14 players in this squad are from the A-League. Nine from the Wellington Phoenix, four from Auckland FC, one from Perth Glory. That’s not including Alex Paulsen the Bournemouth goalkeeper either. Already mentioned that ten players are eligible for the U23s. Got to think that all ten of them are heading to the Olympics or else they wouldn’t be here. That includes all six of the uncapped players: Fin Conchie, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Alex Paulsen, Jesse Randall, Sam Sutton, and Oskar van Hattum

Beyond that we’ve got a few key older players around to drive the standards. Most of them are also A-Leaguers, though Max Crocombe has made the trip down to keep his claim on the number one status within sight now that Alex Paulsen is looming. Liberato Cacace apparently just loves it too much, dunno. Then guys like Alex Greive, Eli Just, Max Mata, and especially Kosta Barbarouses are no doubt hunting goals to add to their international tallies. Kosta’s four international goals are the most in this squad.

Funnily enough, the exact same thing was true of the Football Ferns when they did their Olympic qualifiers earlier in the year. Lots of players were able to pad their stats, combinations were worked upon in light of an upcoming major tournament, and most importantly the team was able to get back to winning ways. Let it be known that the All Whites have not won a game since March 2023. They’re on a seven-game drought and have only scored three goals in those matches. The same things that people say about the Football Ferns are true about the All Whites, but nobody seems to hold it against them the same way.

Now, this is an Oceania Football event, so shenanigans must ensue. Ten days out from the beginning of the event, one day after New Zealand named their squad, we got news that New Caledonia will not be participating. If you’ve been following the news then you know exactly why. Honestly, this is the safest and wisest approach so there’s nothing to whine about. More important things than football. Here’s hoping for a peaceful resolution. What that means in a footballing sense is that the All Whites won’t play their first game on 15 June. Instead they begin three days later against the Solomon Islands before meeting hosts Vanuatu a further three days after that.

Solomons have Rafael Lea’i. Vanuatu have Brian Kaltack. Roy Krishna is playing for Fiji as well, if you’re wondering, and they’ll probably be a semi-final or final opponent for the Aotearoa side. Tommy Semmy’s in the Papua New Guinea squad. Big names are there for a lost of the Pacific teams whereas the NZers have left most of their top dawgs behind to rest.

Combine that with the inexperience in this kiwi squad and we probably won’t see scorelines like the 5-0 win over the Solomon Islands in the final of World Cup Qualifying back in March 2022, when the All Whites pretty much were at full strength. Goals that day were scored by Bill Tuiloma (2), Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, and of course Chris Wood... none of them will be in Port Vila for this. But there still should be enough quality to get the job done a tad easier than the last Nations Cup in 2016 when Anthony Hudson reverse-masterminded a 0-0 draw against Papua New Guinea in the final before a penalty shootout triumph. Only one player who took the field that day is in this squad eight years later: Kosta Barbarouses. Time for the squad breakdown.

GOALKEEPERS

Max Crocombe – Burton Albion, ENG (5 caps/0 goals)

Alex Paulsen – AFC Bournemouth, ENG (0/0)

Oli Sail – Perth Glory, AUS (9/0)

This is suddenly a fascinating position for Darren Bazeley. The depth that is emerging amongst kiwi goalkeepers is spectacular, as highlighted by Alex Paulsen’s transfer to AFC Bournemouth – who’ll surely make his All Whites debut during this tournament.

In the past 31 internationals (so, since Huddo gapped it and Stefan Marinovic stopped being the automatic number tahi), NZ has used six different keepers and none of them have played more than nine times. Stefan Marinovic is off the radar now but Michael Woud’s move to Auckland FC puts him firmly back in the mix. Nik Tzanev is a free agent awaiting his next gig. Jamie Searle is coming off a stitch-up of a year with relegated Forest Green Rovers but he’s still under contract and maybe the English fifth tier can get him some momentum if they actually let him play from time to time.

Max Crocombe is the only one who seems to have been able to distance himself from the crowd a little, having played the last three games in a row, but he would have more than five caps if he played a tad higher up the English pyramid. League One doesn’t break for international windows which has hampered his availability and will probably continue to do so. But all that says is that the All Whites need to be drawing from more substantial club situations. Crocombe is coming off the best season of his career after winning the Player of the Year award for Burton Albion and potentially does have the chops to play at a higher level. But with dudes elsewhere in the starting eleven playing in the top divisions of England, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands (soon), Serbia (for now), etc... Crocombe’s probably only warming the seat of the throne for somebody else.

Alex Paulsen is the obvious Prince That Was Promised. He’s been an elite prospect since he first began making national youth team setups, he absolutely bossed the A-League last season, and has now traded on his achievements to earn a transfer to Bournemouth. But Paulsen ain’t the only contender. Kees Sims has gotten games in the Swedish top flight for GAIS since joining a few months back. Henry Gray was the (temporary) third-choice keeper for Ipswich Town when they got promoted to the Prem. Scott Morris is at Stoke City in the Champo. All four of these blokes are aged 23 or younger and have made significant career-surging transfers within the last six months. To be honest, it’s a little bit of a surprise that Oli Sail is here ahead of Sims or possibly Gray given that one of those two is likely to join Paulsen in the Olympic squad soon afterwards.

DEFENDERS

Tyler Bindon – Reading, ENG (6/0)

Liberato Cacace – Empoli, ITA (21/1)

Lukas Kelly-Heald – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (0/0)

Tim Payne – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (35/2)

Tommy Smith – Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (52/2)

Finn Surman – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (1/0)

Sam Sutton – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (0/0)

Normally these squad yarns will include allusions to the various fellas who missed out on selection but that doesn’t seem worthwhile for a group like this. There are only seven players based outside of the A-League and of them only Max Crocombe, Libby Cacace, Alex Greive, and Elijah Just are beyond the Olympic age-range. And Cacace is surely someone who is being considered as an overage player (although left-back is not a weakness in that U23s squad, as you can see from Sutton and LKH both making this group).

Crocombe plays 50-60 games per year so he doesn’t need the rest like all the outfielders might. Cacace we suspect could be aiming for OlyWhites or maybe he just wanted the run after limited minutes down the stretch for Empoli – until he was finally recalled for the final game where he was excellent in a last-gasp win that saved them from relegation. Greive is out of contract at St Mirren... though strangely NZF have him listed as a Dundee United player which is where he’d been out on loan. The suspicion is that he’ll re-sign there permanently now that they’ve been promoted but that’s not been announced or anything. Could be an error from NZF or it could be that they’ve let the cat out of the bag. Also, Just also hasn’t played a lot over the past month as he potentially angles for a transfer following big speculation earlier in the year. That’s mentioned in the latest Flying Kiwis if you want the recap.

So don’t even bother asking where Michael Boxall, Bill Tuiloma (club commitments), or Nando Pijnaker (injured) are. And don’t wonder about second-tier possibilities like Dalton Wilkins, Niko Kirwan, James McGarry, Callan Elliot, or whoever might be because those overseas-based fellas over 23 simply weren’t really in the frame for this particular tour. It ain’t that kind of tour.

You would be excused for asking where Storm Roux is, following his back-to-back A-League championships with Central Coast Mariners. It seems he declined to be selected. Probably due a holiday after the hectic fixture schedule that CCM have had. It’s a pity because the 31yo has been overlooked a few times, such as the previous squad when Dane Ingham got there ahead of him, so this could have been a chance to stake a claim. It might just be that international football isn’t really on his wavelength at the moment which is fair enough. But there are only so many times that opportunity will come back around.

As to the folks who are here, good to see Tim Payne holding it down at right back. He’s sneakily another potential overage Olympian since right back could be seen as a weak link in the squad. It’s usually a weak link in All Whites squads when he’s not there. Tyler Bindon can do a job at RB but he’s a far better central defender and, to be honest, it would be way more enticing to get a glimpse of a Bindon/Surman CB partnership in these games. That’s the future right there. Bindon doesn’t get the local focus of Surman but his 2023-24 season was even more intense than what the Nix youngster got up to. He’d be the silky passer alongside the brutish Surman... yet Surman’s passing is getting to be really good and Bindon certainly does not shy away from a powerful challenge. It shapes as a brilliant combination for years to come so fingers-crossed we see it at the Olympics.

We’ve also got Tommy Smith to add a few caps to his record and provide the veteran leadership alongside an otherwise youthful set of defenders. Between him and T-Payne they should have that sorted. That’s the way to do it.

There are three left-backs in this squad. That could be rectified by having Sam Sutton return to his origins as a midfielder (or even a left winger) or it could be rectified by a back three formation where Lukas Kelly-Heald plays as the LCB, as he’s done for the Wellington Phoenix a few times. Bazeley does like a back three formation with his youth international sides. Not always to the best effect but that’s also a personnel thing. On that note, it’s a wee bit curious that Isaac Hughes didn’t squeeze in here too – especially since there are two open spots in this squad, with Bazeley only picking 21 out of 23 possible players because he said he didn’t want folks sitting on the bench not getting minutes.

In other words, it’s a very deliberate squad. We don’t exactly know the parameters of that yet but Baze and his staff seem to have a clear idea of what they were going for.

MIDFIELDERS

Fin Conchie – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (0/0)

Cameron Howieson – Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (16/0)

Ben Old – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (4/0)

Alex Rufer – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (9/0)

There actually weren’t very many NZers at Aussie A-League clubs last season to consider. Sail and Smith are here. Smithy of course having done half a season as a backup for Macarthur, getting used to the league before signing with Auckland FC. Marco Rojas was at Brisbane Roar and it’s a slight surprise not to see him included. Rojas also signed a keep-busy short-term deal with an ALM club midseason so perhaps we ought to be looking for him in the next AFC signing dump. He missed the last few games of the campaign with a hamstring injury though so he’s potentially not back at full fitness yet. Already mentioned Storm Roux. Dane Ingham seems to have missed the cut despite playing every game for Newcastle Jets and also being in the previous squad. Tim Payne didn’t go on the last tour but is back in contention so that probably explains the lack of DIngham.

There is also the case of Lachie Bayliss (Newcastle Jets), who was called into an U23s squad last year only to withdraw with an injury. Bayliss is Aussie born-and-raised so in light of the evidence presented we might not wanna bank on him representing Aotearoa down the line. The only other kiwi lad was Clayton Lewis and... yeah nah. Even if Baze wanted to be strange and pick him under the circumstances, he can’t because the Nations Cup clashes with Lewis’ court date and he’s not allowed to leave Australia in the meantime.

This is not a normal thing to say about a kiwi youth team squad but the U23s are more stacked in midfield than in any other position. Marko Stamenic. Matt Dibley-Dias. Matthew Garbett. That’s a midfield three that the senior side would be proud of... hopefully they’re all available for the main event. It will clash with the start of preseason in Europe though which may or may not be a dealbreaker for MDD.

The consequence of all is this particular squad containing a quartet of midfielders who might none of them make a full strength squad. Ben Old is pushing towards that status, in fairness. He’s probably seen much more as an attacking option for the national team though. This is further evidence that Sam Sutton could see some midfield minutes but otherwise there are two extremely dependable local options in Cam Howieson and Alex Rufer. Howieson is on a resurgence ahead of a long overdue return to the professional arena with Auckland FC. Rufer is coming off the best season of his career with the Welly Nix. Both of them are great leaders. Ideal for the very specific type of challenge that the Nations Cup will present. Plus Fin Conchie is here ahead of his likely Olympic inclusion, ready to show what he learned in his first full season with the Phoenix’s A-League squad.

FORWARDS

Kosta Barbarouses – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (56/4)

Alex Greive – Unattached (11/2)

Elijah Just – AC Horsens, DEN (22/1)

Max Mata – Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (9/0)

Jesse Randall – Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (0/0)

Ben Waine – Plymouth Argyle, ENG (13/1)

Oskar van Hattum – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (0/0)

Finally we get to the forwards, who’ll be hoping to score a few goals... although that’s easier said than done. The U23s scored 20 goals in three games during qualifying for the Olympics but it’s usually a different story when it gets to senior football. The All Whites only scored 18 goals in five games at the World Cup qualifying stuff in March 2022. Some comfortable wins in there... but the first game, before a lot of the main guys arrived (thus a similar pedigree to this lot), was only a scrappy 1-0 win against Papua New Guinea. Ben Waine scored the only goal on debut (it was also Ben Old’s debut). Meanwhile at the 2016 Nations Cup, under the genius tutelage of Anthony Hudson, the lads only scored 11 goals in six games and needed a penalty shootout to beat PNG in the final. The All Whites should win all of their games but it won’t come easy.

Max Mata and Ben Waine have tended to be the alternatives for the AWs whenever Chris Wood is unavailable. Mata’s stronger and better in the air. Waine’s a little quicker and a superior finisher. It’ll be fun to get an extended look at how Waineo’s tracking after getting shoved around by Championship defenders in 10-15 minute cameos all season, and how much that’s improved his game with his back to goal. Waine’s going to be coached by Wayne Rooney at Plymouth Argyle next season which frankly could unfold in a variety of ways though learning from one of the finest strikers of the previous generation will have its benefits. Mata’s coming back to Auckland FC on loan after a return stint at Sligo Rovers. It hasn’t worked out for him at Shrewsbury Town yet but sometimes all that takes is a managerial change. One year in Auckland and chances are that’s what he’ll be returning to (if not... a second year in Auckland is always there waiting).

Two good CF options... and around them it’s pace and mobility pretty much the whole way through. Kosta Barbarouses makes the smartest runs of anyone. Oskar van Hattum will charge all day (and has definitely bulked up these last two years). Alex Greive is an absolute workhorse who can pick a pass as well as dashing onto one. Jesse Randall is lightning quick. Don’t forget how Ben Old can cover turf in a hurry. Eli Just is the only exception, he’s the guy who’ll be picking out the passes for the rest of them to run onto. Got to have some variety.

By the way, most of the goals in this squad were all against Oceania nations. Greive, Just, Waine, Cacace, Smith, Payne... and three of Barbarouses’ four goals. Meaning that the goal Kosta scored in a 2-2 draw against El Salvador in 2012 is the only one in this entire squad from outside the confederation. That’s obviously not about to change on this tour but that’s fine, different tours require different approaches and this group, along with a number of emerging options, has plenty of soldiers who have travelled these same paths many a-time.

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