Chris Wood (2nd from left) celebrates scoring a goal against Gambia in Dubai. Photo: photosport
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has recalled a host of his best offshore-based players for internationals against Mexico and the United States in North America next month.
Veteran Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood is among eight changes to the 21-man New Zealand squad who contested OFC Nations Cup in Vanuatu in June.
Bazeley used that tournament to blood a handful of new caps and to help prepare for the Olympic Games under-23 campaign, sweeping to four comfortable wins.
However, he has unveiled a squad at close to full strength for the matches against Mexico in Pasadena, California on September 8 and the US in Cincinnati three days later.
The two opponents are ranked 17th and 16th respectively, providing a sizeable challenge for the 94th-ranked All Whites ahead of the start of their World Cup qualifying games, featuring three matches in October.
A glut of Europe-based midfielders are recalled, including regulars Joe Bell, Matthew Garbett, Marko Stamenic and Sarpreet Singh.
In defence, there's a return for Ireland-based Nando Pijnaker and US-based Michael Boxall, who is line for his 50th cap.
Michael Boxall Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Bazeley highlighted the importance of the two US friendlies.
"Playing two games against two of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosts, in one of the host countries, is the perfect motivation for our players ahead of starting our own journey to qualify for the tournament this October," he said.
"These are both two top sides but we need to be testing ourselves at this level so we are prepared for what we could face should we qualify for the World Cup."
Wood was the goalscorer the last time New Zealand played Mexico, a 2-1 loss in the 2017 Confederations Cup tournament in Sochi, Russia.
A year earlier, the All Whites played their most recent game against the US, resulting in a 1-1 draw in Washington DC.
The All Whites' Monty Patterson contests possession against the United States in Washington DC in 2016. Photo: Photosport
Bazeley expected his team to be fully tested.
"For the Mexico game we are likely going to be facing a huge and passionate Mexican crowd, and for the USA game they could potentially have a new head coach in place, so these games will present new and interesting challenges for us which we will embrace as a team.
"We have seen a lot of high-profile transfers for our players over the last few months, so it will be great to assemble as a squad and witness how our players are developing ahead of some significant games for the team."
All Whites squad:
Goalkeepers
Max Crocombe (9 caps/0 goals) Burton Albion, England
Alex Paulsen (1/0) Auckland FC, NZ
Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia
Defenders
Tyler Bindon (10/0) Reading, England
Michael Boxall (49/0) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (25/1) Empoli FC, Italy
Tim Payne (37/2) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (19/0) Sligo Rovers, Republic of Ireland
Tommy Smith (55/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Finn Surman (5/1) Portland Timbers, USA
Dalton Wilkins (3/0) Sønderjyske Fodbold, Denmark
Midfielders
Joe Bell (18/1) Viking FK, Norway
Matthew Garbett (22/3) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Elijah Just (26/2) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from AC Horsens)
Ben Old (8/1) AS Saint Etienne, France
Alex Rufer (13/0) Wellington Phoenix, NZ
Sarpreet Singh (14/1), Unattached
Marko Stamenić (21/1) Olympiacos, Greece
Forwards
Kosta Barbarouses (60/7) Wellington Phoenix, NZ
Ben Waine (16/5) Plymouth Argyle, England
Chris Wood (74/34) Nottingham Forest, England
SCHEDULE
All Whites vs Mexico
8 September - 1pm NZT (7 September 6pm local time)
Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
All Whites vs USA
11 September - 11am NZT (10 September 7pm local time)
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio