New Zealand players celebrate winning OFC Qualifiers Final at Eden Park Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
The Football World Cup bound All Whites have reached their highest FIFA ranking in 12 years.
New Zealand moved up four places to 82nd in the world in the lastest rankings off the back of qualifying for next year's world cup in March and last month's win over African champions Côte d'Ivoire in Canada.
Under head coach Darren Bazeley, the team has now climbed 23 places since he took on the role in 2023.
This is the highest rank the team has had since they were 79th in 2013.
"We really believe in what we're doing as a team, so it's good to see that reflected in our new ranking, but we know we can still improve our position to better reflect where we feel this team should be," Bazeley said.
"We've been able to produce moments against higher-ranked teams over the last few years, with encouraging draws against the Republic of Ireland, the USA and Tunisia, but the win over reigning African champions Côte d'Ivoire in Toronto gives us real confidence that we can get results against big sides, which is hugely significant heading into the FIFA World Cup 2026.
"We have some great games coming up, all against highly ranked teams, so when we get to the tournament next year we should be in the best place to perform."
The All Whites plan to have a full calendar of international fixtures in the lead-up to the world cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA and they will next be in action in September in two matches against Australia.
The biggest mover in the rankings was Costa Rica going up 14 places to 40th.
Argentina is still number one, followed by Spain and France.
