The wait is almost over, because on Saturday morning we’ll find out who the All Whites will take on at next year’s Football World Cup.
The tournament, spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, will be the third time New Zealand compete in FIFA’s show piece event and first as they went undefeated at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Tomorrow morning’s draw,taking place in Washington DC and live on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ from 5.55am, will see the All Whites likely drawn against some of the world’s best teams.
We’re still waiting to discover the full rundown of 48 teams – 42 have so far been confirmed, with the remaining six teams to be locked in by March. But as one of the lower-ranked teams, New Zealand’s opponents will become clear during the draw.
## How it happens
Next year’s World Cup will be the biggest yet, jumping up from 32 teams last time round in Qatar to 48 teams this time. the drawing of nations is not totally random.
All 48 teams have been separated into four pots, based largely on rankings, with Pot 1 made up of the three host nations and the highest ranked teams.
pots 2 to 4 are steadfast by highest to lowest rankings too. Under FIFA’s rules,no group can have two nations from the same confederation,with the exception of UEFA who can have no more than two nations.Sounds complicated, but it’ll become clear as the balls are drawn out.
New Zealand slots into Pot 4 and will be drawn against one team from each of the top three pots.
All Whites Are Heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
it didn’t take long for celebrations to erupt after the All Whites secured their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. New Zealand defeated solomon Islands 1-0 in the OFC Nations Cup final, automatically qualifying them for the expanded tournament.
The match, held in Honiara, saw a tense battle between the two teams.A goal from Ben Waine in the 59th minute proved to be the difference, sending the All Whites through. It’s a huge moment for New Zealand football, and fans are already looking forward to the tournament.
This qualification is particularly special because the 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the united States, Canada, and Mexico. It’ll be the first time the tournament has been held across three countries. The expanded format also means more teams will participate – increasing from 32 to 48 nations.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” said All Whites coach Darren Bazeley after the match. “The players have worked so hard for this, and they deserve all the credit. We’re really excited to represent New Zealand on the world stage.”
The win marks a significant turnaround for the All Whites, who didn’t qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.This victory provides a boost for the team and the sport in New Zealand.
now, the focus shifts to preparation for the 2026 tournament. The All Whites will be looking to make a strong impression against some of the world’s best footballing nations. Fans can expect exciting times ahead as the team prepares for the biggest stage in international football.
You can find more details about the OFC Nations Cup and the All Whites’ journey here.