New Zealand qualifies for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010

In the summer of 2026, the FIFA World Cup will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The first participants of the tournament are already being determined, and one of them is a representative from Oceania.

Details: On the morning of Monday, March 24, the final match of the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup took place between New Caledonia and New Zealand. After a goalless first half, the New Zealanders crushed their opponent in the second half — 3:0, securing their place in the final stage of the World Cup.

For New Zealand, this will be their first World Cup since 2010. Back then, the team traveled to the tournament in South Africa and earned three points by drawing all their group matches.

Incidentally, they are the second team to officially earn a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The first to qualify were the Japanese team.

Reminder: The upcoming World Cup will feature 48 teams. So far, five are known: USA, Canada, and Mexico (as hosts), as well as Japan and New Zealand.