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More than Just Happy to Be Here, New Zealand Hunts First-Ever Knockout Run
Elijah Just scored both goals as the All Whites earned a point and kept alive a chance at their first World Cup knockout berth.
- On Monday, New Zealand secured a 2-2 draw against No. 22 Iran, with midfielder Elijah Just scoring both goals. The result gives the All Whites their first real chance to advance past the group stage.
- The Oceania Football Confederation earned its first-ever automatic berth this year, enabling New Zealand to qualify through a three-step process. The team reached the tournament for the first time since 2010.
- Head coach Darren Bazeley emphasized, "We can't let the occasion get too big," while the All Whites schedule friendlies against higher-ranked opponents to sharpen their competitive edge. Midfielder Ben Old said, "We're always used to being the underdogs."
- The squad faces No. 29 Egypt on Sunday , with a positive result keeping their momentum alive. New Zealand can break its single-tournament scoring record with two group matches remaining.
- FIFA's expanded 48-team format grants the OFC one automatic ticket compared to 16 for UEFA, creating new pathways for teams like New Zealand to challenge for the knockout stages. This structure reflects a historic shift in global competition access.
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Associated Press News+23 Reposted by 23 other sources
More than just happy to be here, New Zealand hunts first-ever knockout run
New Zealand, at No. 82 ranked fourth lowest in the tournament, has a chance to go from ‘just happy to be here’ to its first-ever World Cup win against Egypt Sunday.
·New York, United States
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Egypt vs. New Zealand Prediction: 2026 FIFA World Cup Preview and Pick
Egypt vs. New Zealand BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada Sunday, June 21st, 9 p.m. ET Both sides opened their World Cup campaigns with draws, as New Zealand played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Iran, while Egypt earned a hard-fought 1-1 result against Belgium in what was one of the most impressive performances of Matchday 1. With Belgium expected to take control of the group, this feels like a huge game for both nations, and three points …
Coverage Details
Total News Sources31
Leaning Left13Leaning Right6Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Left
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Left
52% Left
L 52%
C 24%
R 24%
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