New Zealand has become the second team (excluding the hosts) to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following their 3-0 win over New Caledonia to seal the lone direct slot of the OFC.
The feat sees the current generation join those from Spain in 1982 and South Africa in 2010 as the only New Zealand sides to have reached the World Cup. New Caledonia, meanwhile, will head to the FIFA Play-off Tournament™ and hope to create history by qualifying for the first time.
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New Zealand were the favourites coming into the game but their opponents defended resolutely through the first half. When captain Chris Wood was forced off less than ten minutes after the restart, nerves were starting to jangle for the hosts. They were calmed though by the unlikely source of veteran central defender Michael Boxall who rose to nod home a back-post corner.
Substitute Kosta Barbarouses then doubled the advantage midway through the half as he latched on to a lofted ball from club team-mate Tim Payne and chipped Nyikeine. The veteran forward turned provider for fellow substitute Elijah Just to neatly tuck home a third and secure their progression.
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