Wanderer Kosta Barbarouses has been named in the All Whites squad for this month’s two games against Colombia (FIFA rank 13) and Ecuador (FIFA rank 23) in the USA.
The two games against South American opponents mean the All Whites will have faced sides from every FIFA confederation in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026, following on from the 1-1 draw with Norway (FIFA rank 29) and 1-0 loss to Poland (FIFA rank 33), two UEFA sides, last month.
Both matches continue the team’s strategy of taking on top 40 ranked opponents to prepare for what they could be drawn to play in 2026, with Colombia set to be the highest-ranked side the All Whites have faced so far in this cycle.
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley said:
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is getting closer every day, and we can definitely feel the excitement building, so it is great to name this squad ahead of two tough but important games for us, especially as they will give us another taste of playing in one of the host countries.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to test ourselves against South American teams so far this cycle, so this is a great chance to challenge the team against another style of play that we could realistically face next year.
“Especially for the game in Florida, we are expecting vocal local support from the South American communities there, which is another really good challenge.
“I want to congratulate Kees on his call-up for the first time after a breakthrough season in Sweden.
“I have known him for a long time and followed his development, so it is great to reward his effort and bring him into the squad.”
The All Whites will face Colombia on 16 November NZT (15 November local time) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at Chase Stadium, home of MLS side Inter Miami.
Three days later they will take on Ecuador on 19 November NZT (18 November local time) at Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls, in Harrison, New Jersey.
Both games will be available live and free on FIFA+ as well as TVNZ, home of the FIFA World Cup 26 in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Kosta Barbarouses (70/9) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia
Joe Bell (28/1) Viking FK, Norway
Tyler Bindon (20/2) Sheffield United, England (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Michael Boxall (60/1) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (35/1) Wrexham AFC, Wales
Max Crocombe (19/0) Millwall, England
Andre de Jong (11/2) Stellenbosch, South Africa
Francis de Vries (15/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Matt Garbett (34/5) Peterborough United, England
Eli Just (38/8) Motherwell, Scotland
Callum McCowatt (28/4) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
Ben Old (18/1) AS Saint-Étienne, France
Alex Paulsen (5/0) Lechia Gdańsk, Poland (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
Alex Rufer (22/0) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Storm Roux (16/0) Central Coast Mariners, Australia
Kees Sims (debut) GAIS, Sweden
Sarpreet Singh (24/3) FK TSC Bačka Topola, Serbia
Marko Stamenić (33/3) Swansea City, Wales
George Stanger (0/0) Kilmarnock, Scotland
Finn Surman (13/2) Portland Timbers, USA
Ryan Thomas (23/3) PEC Zwolle, Netherlands
Bill Tuiloma (45/4) Charlotte FC, USA
Ben Waine (26/8) Port Vale, England
