New Zealand Fall 0-1 to England in Final World Cup Warm-Up

New Zealand lost 0-1 to England in an international friendly at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on June 6, 2026 . As of June 7, 2026, that result leaves the All Whites heading into their third-ever World Cup on the back of two consecutive defeats and zero goals scored in pre-tournament friendlies.

Harry Kane scored the only goal (as of June 7, 2026). A headed finish from a Djed Spence cross in first-half stoppage time — his 67th goal of the season for club and country . England were not at full strength. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke were all absent, rested after long European club campaigns . Thomas Tuchel used 22 players across the 90 minutes. The fact that a rotated England still kept a clean sheet tells you where the All Whites' problems lie .

New Zealand created little (as of June 7, 2026). The previous friendly was worse — a 4-0 defeat to Haiti . Two matches, five goals conceded, none scored. Coach Darren Bazeley's 26-player squad now has nine days to fix what those results exposed before the Group G opener against Iran.

The squad Bazeley is taking to World Cup 2026

New Zealand confirmed their official 26-player roster on May 14, 2026. Here is the full breakdown by position, with national-team minutes, goals, and assists over the last 12 months.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Chris Wood carries the weight

Ten national-team goals in the last 12 months. No other forward in the squad has more than two. Chris Wood is not just New Zealand's best striker — he is essentially their only consistent source of goals. The Nottingham Forest man has 529 NT minutes and a goal every 53 minutes at international level over that span (as of June 7, 2026).

But Wood could not find the net against Haiti or England. If he goes quiet in Group G, there is no obvious Plan B. Ben Waine (2 goals, 299 min) and Kosta Barbarouses (2 goals, 222 min) offer depth but not the same proven output. Jesse Randall has just 57 NT minutes (as of June 7, 2026).

The burden on Wood at this World Cup is enormous.

What the recent form says

New Zealand's record across their last 10 matches reads 2 wins, 1 draw, 8 losses — 9 goals scored, 19 conceded . The two wins came against Chile (4-1) and no one else. Every other result was a loss or a draw (as of June 7, 2026).

A selection of those results:

Bazeley has been testing his squad against serious opposition. The education has been painful. Nine goals in 10 matches is not enough at any level, and the defensive record — 19 conceded — suggests Group G will be demanding.

Group G — the path ahead

New Zealand sit in Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and Iran . The schedule:

The opener against Iran is the match that matters most. It is the most winnable fixture on paper, and likely the only realistic shot at three points. Egypt are a rising side. Belgium, even with an aging core, remain a tier above.

New Zealand's previous World Cup campaigns ended at the group stage in 1982 and 2010 . The 2010 side famously drew all three group matches — against Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay — and went home unbeaten but eliminated. Repeating that scrappy resilience is the template. But the current form makes even that look ambitious.

Key players to watch

What Bazeley needs to fix

Goals. Or, more precisely, the complete absence of them in the final two friendlies. Five conceded, zero scored. England played a second-string side and still controlled the match comfortably . Against Haiti, a team ranked well below World Cup standard, New Zealand conceded four .

The defensive structure leaked. The attacking play produced nothing. Bazeley has nine days before Iran.

When does New Zealand play their first World Cup 2026 match?

New Zealand open their World Cup 2026 campaign against Iran on June 15, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood . The match kicks off at 20:00. It is their most important fixture — a realistic chance at three points before facing Egypt and Belgium.

Who is New Zealand's top scorer heading into the World Cup?

Chris Wood leads the squad with 10 national-team goals in the last 12 months. He plays for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and has 529 NT minutes across 10 appearances in that span. No other forward has more than two NT goals in the same window (as of June 7, 2026).

What is New Zealand's recent form like?

The All Whites have won just 2 of their last 10 matches, with 1 draw and 8 losses . They scored 9 goals and conceded 19. Their two most recent friendlies — a 0-4 loss to Haiti and a 0-1 loss to England — ended with zero goals scored (as of June 7, 2026).

How many times has New Zealand been to the World Cup?

This is New Zealand's third-ever World Cup appearance . They previously competed in 1982 in Spain and 2010 in South Africa. In 2010, they drew all three group matches — including a 1-1 draw with eventual champions Italy — but were eliminated on points (as of June 7, 2026).

Who are New Zealand's Group G opponents?

New Zealand are drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran . After the Iran opener on June 15, they face Egypt in Vancouver on June 21 and close the group stage against Belgium in Vancouver on June 26.

See the projected squad
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