New Zealand

New Zealand, the All Whites, are the dominant force within the Oceania Football Confederation — six-time OFC Nations Cup winners — and have qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1982, 2010, and 2026, with their 2010 campaign unique for being the only team not to lose a single match while still exiting in the group stage.

New Zealand played their first international in June 1922, defeating Australia 3–1 in Dunedin, and were among the founding members of the OFC when that confederation was established in 1966. Playing in a confederation with fewer automatic World Cup berths, the All Whites have historically faced a disproportionately difficult path to global tournaments relative to their footballing quality.

Their debut at the 1982 World Cup in Spain saw them draw three matches but fail to advance — a pattern that would become familiar. The team built a powerbase within Oceania, accumulating OFC Nations Cup titles across five decades, and produced a generation of players who went on to careers in European leagues. Chris Wood, who plays his club football in England, became the country's all-time top scorer and most-capped player.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa stands as the programme's most celebrated tournament moment: the All Whites drew all three group-stage matches — including a spirited 1–1 result against Italy — becoming the only team in the tournament to go unbeaten, yet still departed in the group stage. A 14-year absence followed before qualification for 2026 was secured, giving New Zealand another chance to match that historic feat.