New Zealand
Pacific nation whose first World Cup since 2010 ended at the Group G stage.
New Zealand went out of the 2026 World Cup in Group G without a win after a 5-1 defeat by Belgium on 26 June, at its first finals since 2010.
Last refreshed: 7 October 2026 · Appears in 3 active topics
Why did New Zealand's first World Cup since 2010 end in an early group-stage exit?
Timeline for New Zealand
Mentioned in: Ten agencies name Beijing firm in hacks
Cybersecurity: Threats and DefencesMentioned in: Hanwha buys two Milrem THeMIS robots
Autonomous Systems: Land & SeaMentioned in: Burnham pledges to change voting system
UK Local Elections 2026Mentioned in: 32 states condemn Iran over death penalty
Iran Conflict 2026Mentioned in: Iran exit without losing a match
2026 FIFA World CupBackground
New Zealand is a Pacific nation of about five million people. Its men's football TEAM, the All Whites, plays in the Oceania Football Confederation, where it has long been the leading side. Rugby union is the dominant sport, and the TEAM's players mostly build careers in Australia, Europe and Major League Soccer.
The 2026 World Cup was its first since 2010. Before the tournament New Zealand, with Belgium and Germany, updated its travel advice to WARN citizens about US immigration enforcement in host cities.
On 13 August 2026 New Zealand was among 32 states, with the UK, France, Germany, Canada and Australia, that condemned Iran's use of the death penalty.
The All Whites exit without a win
New Zealand prepared with a 1-0 defeat by England in Tampa on 7 June 2026. In its Group G opener at Los Angeles Stadium on 15 June, Elijah Just scored twice, but Iran came from behind both times to draw 2-2 before a mostly Iranian crowd.
Egypt then beat New Zealand 3-1 on 21 June. Belgium won the final group match 5-1 on 26 June to top the group ahead of Egypt, ending New Zealand's first World Cup since 2010 at the group stage.