Three new names in All Whites football squad
Three uncapped players have been included in Darren Bazeley's first All Whites squad named following June’s FIFA World Cup.
Teenage forward Stipe Ukich, 26-year-old centre back George Stanger and 21-year-old goalkeeper Henry Gray are in line to make their debuts when the team heads to Asia for four matches in the international window that starts next week.
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Ukich, 19 has played for New Zealand at various junior levels and currently competes in the Croatian top league for NK Istra 1961.
“This is an important squad for us as it is the first group we’ve brought together since the FIFA World Cup 2026," Bazeley.
“The World Cup was a significant milestone for this team, but these matches give us an opportunity to continue building on the progress we’ve made while also looking at players who can grow in the next phase of the journey.
“This squad reflects our desire to maintain that momentum and we’ve selected a group with a good mix of established internationals and players who have earned opportunities through their work at club level, including a debut call-up for Stipe Ukich who has been really impressive playing in a tough league in Croatia.
“The tour will be a valuable test against a range of different opponents and playing styles, from teams ranked in the 90s right up to sides who were also at the FIFA World Cup.
“The objective is always to win matches, but these tours are also about learning, improving and ensuring we are better prepared for the challenges ahead as we continue the journey as a team.”
Just five of the squad: Chris Wooud, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Ben Waine and Marko Stamenic have played 30 games all more for New Zealand.
The All Whites will play Palestine and China in China in the final week of September, before facing Panama and either Ecuador or Japan in Japan in the first week of October.
Lachlan Bayliss, Auckland FC, New Zealand, Tyler Bindon, Charlton Athletic (loan), England, Callan Elliot, Auckland FC, New Zealand, Henry Gray, Wellington Phoenix (loan), New Zealand,
Dane Ingham, Sabah, Malaysia, Eli Just, Swansea City, Wales, Callum McCowatt, AGF, Denmark, Ben Old, Saint-Étienne, France, Owen Parker-Price, Örgryte, Sweden, Alex Paulsen, Motherwell (loan), Scotland, Nando Pijnaker Auckland FC, New Zealand, Jesse Randall, Dundee United, Scotland, Logan Rogers, Auckland FC, New Zealand, Alex Rufer, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand, Marko Stamenić, Swansea City, Wales, George Stanger, Kilmarnock, Scotland, Finn Surman, Portland Timbers, USA, Sam Sutton, Perth Glory, Australia, Stipe Ukich (debut) - NK Istra 1961, Croatia, Ben Waine, Port Vale, England, Dalton Wilkins, Sønderjyske, Denmark, Chris Wood, Nottingham Forest, England, Michael Woud, Auckland FC, New Zealand
