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

May 14 : 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