Soccer-New Zealand pick veteran Smith in Wood-captained World Cup squad

has been really challenging." New Zealand World Cup ⁠squad: Goalkeepers: ​Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud Defenders: Callan Elliot, Tim Payne; Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman; ⁠Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Eli ⁠Just, Ben Old, ⁠Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris ‌Wood

New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley ​included veteran defender Tommy Smith ​and Australia-based rookie midfielder ‌Lachlan ​Bayliss in his World Cup squad named on Thursday. Centre back Smith, a member of New ‌Zealand's 2010 World Cup squad, has not played for the All Whites since 2024 but will join captain Chris Wood in the 26-man ‌roster for the June 11-July 19 finals.

Fullback Liberato Cacace was included ‌despite an injury-blighted season with Welsh club Wrexham, joining Auckland FC's Francis de Vries, who has been sidelined for five weeks with a calf strain. Michael Woud ⁠was ​included among the ⁠three goalkeepers with Max Crocombe and Alex Paulsen.

"We've definitely got a good depth ⁠of players to select from," Bazeley told reporters at Eden Park. "The last ​week has been challenging, a lot of difficult conversations.

"Having to speak ⁠to players and let them down ... has been really challenging." New Zealand World Cup ⁠squad:

Goalkeepers: ​Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud Defenders: Callan Elliot, Tim Payne; Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman; ⁠Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries

Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Eli ⁠Just, Ben Old, ⁠Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris ‌Wood