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New Zealand pick veteran Smith in Wood-captained World Cup squad
- On Thursday, New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley announced his 26-man World Cup squad, including veteran defender Tommy Smith and Australia-based rookie midfielder Lachlan Bayliss, with captain Chris Wood leading the team to North America.
- Bazeley revealed the coaching staff tracked around 55 players in contention over recent years, describing the selection process as "really challenging" with many difficult conversations about leaving players out.
- Veteran defender Smith and captain Wood are the only two players named who featured in the 2010 World Cup squad, while 36-year-old winger Kosta Barbarouses earned inclusion after missing that prior selection.
- New Zealand will face Iran, Egypt, and Belgium in the group stage, with warm-up matches against Haiti in Tampa on June 3 and England four days later.
- Captain Wood, confirmed for the role after an injury-hampered season, said, "It'll be an absolute privilege to be leading the side out as captain at this year's World Cup... and hopefully create some history.
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[Official] Chris Wood Selected: New Zealand Announces 26-Man Final Squad for CONCACAF World Cup... Group Stage Against Belgium, Egypt, and Iran Sports Chosun Reporter No Joo-hwan New Zealand has announced its final 26-man squad for the CONCACAF World Cup finals. The squad consists of 6 forwards, 8 midfielders, 9 defenders, and 3 goalkeepers. New Zealand
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Total News Sources42
Leaning Left6Leaning Right4Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 26%
C 57%
R 17%
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