All Whites qualify for 2026 Fifa World Cup with 3-0 qualifying win over New Caledonia

All Whites 3 New Caledonia 0

If you are going to make history, this is the way to do it.

On home soil, plenty of tension, a shock injury to your most important player, brave opposition and a rollicking finish.

Since 1930, across 22 editions of the Fifa World Cup, only two New Zealand teams have featured on the biggest football stage, in 1982 and 2010. Now there will be three.

The All Whites have booked their ticket to North America next year, following a 3-0 win over New Caledonia on Monday night. It was a nervy evening – much more than expected – as Les Cagous put up a tremendous fight, while captain Chris Wood limped off injured early in the second half.

But the All Whites got the job done. Defender Michael Boxall broke the deadlock just after the hour – with his first international goal – before Kosta Barbarouses extended the lead five minutes later.

New Zealand's Kosta Barbarouses celebrates after scoring the second goal, against New Caledonia at Eden Park. Photo / Photosport

A neat finish from Elijah Just made the game safe and New Zealand could celebrate qualification.

It’s been a long time – 5610 days in fact – since the All Whites beat Bahrain in Wellington to qualify last time, in November 2009.

The route may be different this time round, along with the expectation but it is no less important – a vital moment for the sport in this country.

The All Whites had to battle for the result – unable to break down the well organised visitors – but that somehow felt right for the occasion.

The first goal was always going to be crucial but took a long time to arrive. Before that, there were plenty of chances, without the polish. But their superior quality showed through by the end; the midfield improved as the game progressed and the substitutes, especially Francis De Vries and Barbarouses, made a vital impact as the game opened up.

The match started under sunny skies, on a warm Auckland evening. New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley retained the same starting XI from Friday’s Fiji victory - and an expectant crowd settled back to watch.

There was almost a Wood charge down from the kickoff, as the All Whites went on the hunt. But New Caledonia quickly settled into their shape – 5-4-1 without the ball – with an impressive defensive structure.

They were also physical, not holding back. After Sarpreet Singh was upended, the All Whites had their first free kick. The ball fell to Matt Garbett, whose shot was blocked before some other desperate clearances.

That set the tone for the half, as the visitors defended superbly, while the All Whites lacked precision and a bit of luck.

Callum McCowatt shot straight at the keeper in the 12th minute, then Boxall headed down and over the bar moments later before a Marko Stamenic header was cleared off the line, with another effort blocked under the crossbar in the same sequence.

Wood rose at the far post from another corner, only to see his header plucked out by opposition goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine.

New Zealand's Chris Wood reacts during the Fifa World Cup 2026 OFC Qualifiers Final. Photo / Photosport

Chances were coming but New Zealand was still a bit too static, mostly well covered by the massed defence. And the Island team looked dangerous on the break.

They got free at times in advanced areas– but couldn’t unleash – while the excellent Tyler Bindon came up with a critical tackle on the edge of the area to stop captain Cesar Zeoula in the 33rd minute. There were more chances but nothing too clear-cut.

Wood’s angled shot was stopped, while he had to stretch for another shot, with Garbett lurking at the far post. The New Zealand team were showing signs of frustration, though seemed to come out rejuvenated after the break, with Just and de Vries introduced for McCowatt and Garbett. That signalled a more direct approach, while Libby Cacace was pushed forward.

The shock moment came in the 54th minute, as a dejected Wood came off, replaced by Barbarouses. He had been limping for a few minutes, after falling awkwardly making a snap left foot volley.

The crowd was stunned, adding to the tension.

But the breakthrough finally came in the 61st minute, with Boxall rising above the pack to nod home a de Vries corner, as Eden Park erupted.

It was a special moment for the 36-year-old – who was joined in celebration by the entire All Whites bench.

Five minutes later there was another, with Barbarouses’ sweet clipped finish over the advancing keeper, as he ran onto a superb curling through ball from Tim Payne.

After some New Caledonia forays, the ticket was booked with Just’s 80th-minute goal, a neat move involving de Vries and Barbarouses, before the midfielder’s clinical right-foot finish started the party.

All Whites 3 (Michael Boxall 62, Kosta Barbarouses 66, Elijah Just 80) New Caledonia 0. Halftime 0-0