Soccer: Fans rush shops for All Whites gear

All Whites defender Ben Sigmund is taking a physical approach into Saturday’s World Cup qualifier. Photo / Getty Images

Sports shops have been swamped by soccer fans looking for All Whites supporters' gear for tomorrow's World Cup qualifier.

New Zealand take on Bahrain in the qualifier at Wellington's stadium with the prospect of making the World Cup finals for the first time in 27 years if they win.

Sports shops around the Wellington region today reported sell-outs of All Whites gear as supporters made a last minute rush ahead of the big game.

Champs Sports Central in Wellington's CBD said they had been selling the gear frantically over the last couple of days, with a steady stream of customers still coming in for it.

"It's been absolute carnage," the store's owner, Richard Mowbray, said.

"All our existing stock is pretty much drained except for extreme sizes. It's been full on."

Mr Mowbray said the store was now trying to restock with alternatives, and hoped to have more gear in by tomorrow.

Stirling Sport, Rebel Sport and Ryos stores also reported hordes of people buying the items, leaving them with no or low stock.

Yellow Fever, the collective supporters group for the A-League club Wellington Phoenix, have urged New Zealand fans to don white clothing for the game, aiming for a "white-out" of unanimous support.

- NZPA