WELLINGTON: 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 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.

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 Stameni, Ryan Thomas; Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026