As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Oceania Qualifiers continue in New Zealand, all eyes turn to Hamilton and Auckland for Group B action. After victories for hosts Vanuatu and New Zealand in Port Vila last month, it leaves it all to play for between Samoa and Tahiti in the second group match, if they’re to advance to the semi-finals. It will be the first time ever the All Whites have played a full international match in Hamilton, including a homecoming for Captain Chris Wood, who played his youth football there before moving to West Bromwich Albion at the age of 16. “Yeah, I remember playing for Cambridge, Hamilton Wanderers and Waikato in that sense. So, it will be fantastic to get back there and be in and around where I grew up and play at the stadium where I use to go watch the Chiefs and Waikato play,” said Wood. Having the likes of the Premier League Player of the Month at your disposal makes Darren Bazeley’s All Whites’ favourites even before a ball has been played. “I don’t think the players need too much reminding of the importance of the game, but we will definitely go through some of the challenges that we might come up against. We are the favourites, and we know that but that does bring different challenges but not one we are scared of,” said Bazeley. “Playing at home I think any team in football has an advantage when they are playing at home. It’s familiar and you’ve got the home fans, so I think it’s great for us, it’s a real advantage.” Vanuatu and New Zealand have already met twice this year, the latter coming away with victories in both matches at the OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024 in Port Vila. Having won their opening match against Samoa in front of home fans, Vanuatu know all too well what a boost that can give to a team, but midfielder Mitch Cooper is confident in his team’s ability to give New Zealand a real challenge. “Chris Wood’s against one of our big names from our side, Brian Kaltak, so we are confident in our captain and his ability and what we can do and his experience. I think the main thing is just focusing on our individual jobs once we do that, we will be pretty strong as a collective as well. Some big names in there but at the end of the day its 11v11 and we will take that mentality in with us and go hard,” Cooper said. Battling to stay in the hunt for a semi-final spot are Samoa and Tahiti, who’ll square off in the opening match in Hamilton. After a hefty defeat to Vanuatu last month, Jess Ibrom’s been able to call on some reinforcements for their final group matches in New Zealand. “We’ve brought in some additional players that weren’t involved in match days one, two and three,” Ibrom said. “We’re very excited, but it’s also about performance, we’ve got to perform. It’s a very different level that we’re playing against Tahiti and obviously New Zealand.” Opponents Tahiti will equally be feeling the pressure, after a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand in the opening game, it leaves Sam Garcia’s side in must-win mode against Samoa. “It’s a pleasure to be able to play on beautiful pitches in a climate that is suitable for playing sport. We don’t have any excuses. We have to be well-concentrated, well-worked, play with our qualities, without pressure, have fun and go all the way,” Garcia said. All Whites skipper Chris Wood will make an emotional return to the Waikato for Friday’s FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifier against Vanuatu. Wood (32) will play in the same FMG Stadium he used to visit as a youngster to watch rugby matches. “Yeah, I remember playing for Cambridge, Hamilton Wanderers and Waikato in that sense. So, it will be fantastic to get back there (Waikato) and be in and around where I grew up and play at the stadium where I used to go watch the Chiefs and Waikato play,” Wood said. After playing his junior and youth football in the Waikato, Wood made his senior debut as a 14-year-old and three years later, headed to England to forge what has turned out to be an outstanding professional career. New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley also relishes the chance for his side to again play in front of home fans. “I don’t think the players need too much reminding of the importance of the game, but we will definitely go through some of the challenges that we might come up against,” he said. “We are the favourites, and we know that but that does bring different challenges but not one we are scared of. “Playing at home, I think any team in football has an advantage when they are playing at home. It’s familiar and you’ve got the home fans, so I think it’s great for us, it’s a real advantage.” Opponents Vanuatu are ranked #157, having moved up five places after their 4-1 win against Samoa in October, while New Zealand are rated #91 in the FIFA world rankings. It’s been 20 years since Vanuatu last beat New Zealand, when they overcame the All Whites 4-2 at the 2024 OFC Nations Cup. Vanuatu’s team to play the All Whites in Hamilton is almost all based in the islands — but coach Juliano Schmeling knows plenty about New Zealand football. Schmeling has previously coached in New Plymouth and Palmerston North and was lured to Vanuatu as national coach in the middle of the year. His contract is for the World Cup qualifying rounds, but it could be extended. Speaking to the Waikato Herald before the match, Schmeling said his squad was “well prepared” for the clash against the All Whites. New Zealand is favoured to progress from the pool and win a place in the expanded 2026 World Cup finals in North America. The Oceania qualifying series started with 11 Pacific nations — there are now eight left — and will culminate in semifinals and a final in New Zealand next March. Brazilian-born Schmeling came to New Zealand in 2011 with a project to develop futsal — a hardcourt five-aside version of the game — but was lured away to coach in the Pacific Islands. He subsequently coached the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia at international level and spent 10 years delivering courses and building relationships in the Islands. His new team has already notched up a victory in Group B of the qualifiers, beating Samoa 4-1 in Vanuatu last month, a day after New Zealand beat Tahiti 3-0. New Caledonia, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea make up the other group. The Hamilton match will be the third Schmeling has overseen against New Zealand. New Zealand won 4-0 and 3-0 in Oceania Nations Cup fixtures in June. Football is a popular sport in Vanuatu and having worked with the national team, Schmeling saw the potential for players to step up to a higher level. He likens the enthusiasm of players in Vanuatu, where he now lives, with young players in his home country. FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers Group B Hamilton and Auckland, New Zealand Friday, November 15 Samoa v Tahiti, 4:00 pm New Zealand v Vanuatu, 7:30pm Monday, November 18 Tahiti v Vanuatu, 4:00pm New Zealand v Samoa, 7:30pm