All Whites regulars Liberato Cacace, Callum McCowatt, Alex Paulsen and Ryan Thomas have all been ruled out of the squad for games against Colombia (FIFA rank 13) and Ecuador (FIFA rank 23) in the USA this week with injury or injury concerns. 

The four join Tim Payne and captain Chris Wood, who were not named in the original squad for the games, to make it six regular starters unavailable for the tour with injury. 

In their place James McGarry (Brisbane Roar), Owen Parker-Price (Örgryte), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC) and Nik Tzanev (Newport County) have all been called up. 

Defender Tommy Smith has also been added to the squad to provide additional experience on and off the pitch.

All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley said:

“It is normal for us to lose a player or two with injury but it is really unfortunate to lose six regular starters like this ahead of two big games. 

“This is football though and it opens the door for other players to come in and take their opportunities to impress. 

“We want to be testing ourselves in as many situations as we could face at the FIFA World Cup and while we always want to have our strongest team available, this will give us the chance to see how we address a challenge like this.”

The All Whites will face Colombia on 16 November NZT (15 November local time) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at Chase Stadium, home of MLS side Inter Miami.

Three days later they will take on Ecuador on 19 November NZT (18 November local time) at Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls, in Harrison, New Jersey.

Both games will be available live and free on FIFA+ as well as TVNZ, home of the FIFA World Cup 26 in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Article added: Monday 10 November 2025