All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley has named his first squad since taking on the role on a permanent basis, with two players called up for their senior international debuts.

Bazeley’s squad sees Fulham FC’s 19-year-old midfielder Matthew Dibley-Dias and Reading FC’s 18-year-old defender Tyler Bindon named for the first time. 

The pair are joined by Joe Champness, Niko Kirwan, James McGarry, Sarpreet Singh, Chris Wood and Michael Woud who all return after not being part of the squad for the June international window. 

The full 22-person squad is:

Goalkeepers:
Max Crocombe (2 caps) Burton Albion FC, England
Michael Woud (4 caps) Ventforet Kofu, Japan
Nik Tzanev (1 cap) AFC Wimbledon, England

Defenders:
Bill Tuiloma (37 caps) Charlotte FC, USA
James McGarry (1 cap) Aberdeen FC, Scotland
Liberato Cacace (15 caps) Empoli FC, Italy
Michael Boxall (43 caps) Minnesota United, USA
Nando Pijnaker (12 caps) Sligo Rovers, Ireland
Niko Kirwan (8 caps) Calcio Padova, Italy
Tommy Smith (50 caps) MK Dons, England
Tyler Bindon* (0 caps) Reading FC, England

Midfielders:
Callum McCowatt (12 caps) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
Marko Stamenic (14 caps) FK Crvena zvezda / Red Star Belgrade, Serbia
Matthew Dibley-Dias* (0 caps) Fulham FC, England
Matthew Garbett (15 caps) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Sarpreet Singh (9 caps) FC Hansa Rostock, Germany

Forwards:
Alex Greive (10 caps) St Mirren FC, Scotland
Ben Waine (8 caps) Plymouth Argyle, England
Chris Wood (70 caps) Nottingham Forest, England
Eli Just (16 caps) AC Horsens, Denmark
Joe Champness (6 caps) Adanaspor, Turkey
Max Mata (4 caps) Shrewsbury Town, England

*Debut senior international call-up

For this international window, Bazeley has elected to not call on any A-League Men players due to the competition being in preseason and due to start shortly after the fixtures. 

Midfielder Joe Bell is unavailable this window for personal reasons after recently moving to a new club and country in Europe. 

“It is great to announce the squad for these games and bring in some new and returning players for the window” said All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley. 

“Matt and Tyler are two exciting young players who we have been following the development of closely, so I’m really pleased to be able to bring them into the squad for the first time and give them a taste of senior international football. 

“It is also great to have players like James McGarry, Joe Champness, Michael Woud, Niko Kirwan and Sarpreet Singh back in the squad for the first time in a while, especially with Niko and Sarpreet coming back from long-term injuries.

“I think it speaks to the strength of Kiwi talent around the world that we are able to name a really strong squad even when we don’t call up our A-League Men players. 

“It is great to see how much young Kiwi talent there is pushing for All Whites selection.”

UPCOMING FIXTURES (OCTOBER WINDOW):

13 October at 6pm [local] / 14 October at 5am [NZT]
All Whites v DR Congo
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain

17 October at 7:45pm [local] / 18 October at 7:45am [NZT]
Australia v All Whites
Gtech Community Stadium, London, England

Both games will be broadcast live and free in Aotearoa New Zealand on FIFA+.

Article added: Tuesday 26 September 2023