New Zealand is officially World Cup-bound! After a dominant 3-0 victory over New Caledonia, the All Whites have secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance on football’s biggest stage in 16 years. The win was sealed on Monday at Auckland’s Eden Park, where a trio of second-half goals from Michael Boxall, Kosta Barbarouses, and Elijah Just powered New Zealand past New Caledonia. Boxall, a proud son of Samoa, delivered a defining performance, highlighting the presence of Pasifika talent at the highest level of international football.
“We’ve gone through heartbreak in [previous campaigns] but once the World Cup expanded we expected this of ourselves. It’s not about getting there, it’s about what we do when we’re there so it’s going to be a big 15 or 16 months to prepare.”
-Michael Boxall
The 2026 tournament, set to take place across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, marks a historic expansion, featuring 48 teams for the first time since 1998. With more spots available, the competition will showcase a greater diversity of nations, making New Zealand’s qualification even more significant. For Kiwi football, this moment is long overdue. For Pasifika representation on the global stage, it’s monumental. Congratulations to the All Whites and to Michael Boxall, Samoa’s own, on making history. The world will be watching.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
