{"id":37253,"date":"2026-06-26T02:48:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T02:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/despite-the-odds-new-zealand-only-need-one-more-win-to-advance-to-their-first-world-cup-finals\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T02:48:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T02:48:27","slug":"despite-the-odds-new-zealand-only-need-one-more-win-to-advance-to-their-first-world-cup-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/despite-the-odds-new-zealand-only-need-one-more-win-to-advance-to-their-first-world-cup-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"Despite the odds, New Zealand only need one more win to advance to their first World Cup finals."},"content":{"rendered":"


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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) \u2014 There are several. world cup<\/span> Teams ranked higher than New Zealand will go into the final group stage match with no hope of progressing to the round of 32.<\/p>\n

‘That’s not us’ New Zealand coach Darren Bazley<\/span> He spoke on Thursday ahead of the team’s game against Belgium on Friday. “We’re playing a win-win game right now.”<\/p>\n

This scenario seemed unthinkable when the All Whites, one of the bottom teams at this year’s World Cup, were placed in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and Iran.<\/p>\n

However, thanks to an expanded 48-team format and a group deviation from plan, New Zealand were just one win away from making it through to the group stage for the first time.<\/p>\n

“It never works out the way you expect it to,” Bazley said. \u201cSoccer is not like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

If Egypt and Iran draw in their simultaneous games on Friday, a win against Belgium could move New Zealand into second place in Group G and potentially the knockout stages.<\/p>\n

Unless New Zealand beat Belgium, the All Whites will be denied a chance to advance to the group stage.<\/p>\n

“It’s black and white for us right now, which is a really good thing,” Bazley said.<\/p>\n

New Zealand, currently ranked 84th in the FIFA rankings, have earned one point since the start of the season. Draw with 21st place Iran<\/span>. The All Whites were led by uniform number 27. Egypt was up 1-0 at halftime, but lost 1-3.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I think what we did in the first half against Egypt showed some people that position doesn’t necessarily matter,” Bazley said.<\/p>\n

Even though Belgium drew with both Egypt and Iran, it will not be easy to beat Belgium, who are ranked 10th. Belgium have a veteran midfielder who is one of the most powerful players in the sport kevin de bruyne<\/span>other young stars such as winger jeremy doc<\/span>She missed the match against Iran due to the birth of her first child, but will be returning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to be perfect in this game,\u201d Bazley said. “There is no room for mistakes. There are too many world-class players on the pitch.”<\/p>\n

In New Zealand’s last appearance at the World Cup in 2010, the All Whites drew every game in the group stage. They were the only team to remain undefeated at the World Cup and not advance to the finals.<\/p>\n

Belgium did not miss a World Cup appearance during New Zealand’s 16-year absence, finishing third overall in 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal was to break out of the group,\u201d Bazley said. “That’s still the goal. We still believe it’s possible and we believe we created this opportunity.”<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Drew Renner is a student at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports and Media Institute.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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