New Zealand followed Japan in qualifying for the World Cup.
New Zealand became the second team to successfully qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup .
In the Oceania qualifying final, New Zealand defeated New Caledonia 3-0 .
New Zealand will be making their third appearance at the World Cup. They last competed in the Mundial in 2010, when they drew three times and finished third in their group, ahead of reigning champions Italy.
New Zealanders got a pass to the 2026 World Cup as a result of the expansion of the number of participants in the tournament and the direct quota that Oceania received. Previously, the region received only 0.5 of a ticket – the winner of the Oceania qualifier went on to the intercontinental playoffs.
Despite the defeat, New Caledonia will continue to fight for a place in the 2026 World Cup in the intercontinental playoffs, the matches of which will take place in March 2026.
New Zealand became the second team to successfully qualify for the 2026 World Cup after Japan . The names of five participants in the future Mundial are already known, since the tournament hosts – the USA, Canada and Mexico – automatically received tickets to the final part.
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19. This will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams. From 1998 to 2022, the World Cup used a 32-team format.