All Whites Sarpreet Singh (L) and Joe Bell. Photo: Photosport
Head coach Darren Bazeley is excited about the prospects of his young New Zealand men's football squad named for the Paris Olympics.
All Whites Joe Bell, Michael Boxall and Sarpreet Singh have been selected as the three allowed over-age players, with Olympic regulations meaning 15 of the 18-strong having to be aged 23 or under.
Of the younger cohort, 11 have also been capped at senior level, including 10 who were part of the squad who won last month's OFC Nations Cup tournament in Vanuatu.
The squad members who haven't played for the All Whites are Swedish-based goalkeeper Kees Sims, Wellington Phoenix defender Matthew Sheridan, US-based forward Riley Bidois and Canada-based forward Jay Herdman.
"With the competition happening outside of a FIFA window there have been some challenges with clubs releasing players, who are all really keen to be part of the tournament, but that is an issue that numerous countries have faced," Bazeley said.
"In many ways it shows the level that our players are operating at that top clubs want to hold on to people like (striker) Chris Wood, but luckily we have been building real depth so have talented options to come in instead.
"Over half of this group were part of the All Whites squad that won the OFC Men's Nations Cup last month, so we are looking to continue that momentum when we get to France.
"This is a rare opportunity for us to test ourselves against some top teams, especially the hosts France in our final group game."
New Zealand's group also includes Guinea and the United States.
All Whites headcoach Darren Bazeley Photo: PHOTOSPORT
No fewer than 16 past or present Phoenix players are in Bazeley's squad
Among the current squad, Finn Surman, Sam Sutton, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Oskar van Hattum, Fin Conchie and Matt Sheridan have earned selection.
Ben Old also got the nod for Paris, although the midfielder announced hours before the squad release that he was leaving the Phoenix after signing a contract with French top-flight club AS Saint-Étienne.
Sheridan's inclusion comes at the expense of experienced Wellington fullback Tim Payne, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered while on international duty.
New Zealand squad: (* uncapped by All Whites)
Goalkeepers:
Alex Paulsen - AFC Bournemouth, England
Kees Sims* - GAIS Göteborg, Sweden
Defenders:
Tyler Bindon - Reading FC, England
Michael Boxall - Minnesota United, USA
Lukas Kelly-Heald - Wellington Phoenix
Matthew Sheridan* - Wellington Phoenix
Finn Surman - Wellington Phoenix
Sam Sutton - Wellington Phoenix
Midfielders:
Joe Bell - Viking FK, Norway
Fin Conchie - Wellington Phoenix
Matt Garbett - NAC Breda, Netherlands
Ben Old - AS Saint-Etienne, France
Sarpreet Singh - Unattached
Forwards:
Riley Bidois* - Loudoun United, USA
Jay Herdman* - Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada
Jesse Randall - Auckland FC
Oskar van Hattum - Wellington Phoenix
Ben Waine - Plymouth Argyle, England