Five New Zealand players to watch as All Whites prepare for India friendlies
New Zealand have named a 22-player squad to face India in two international friendlies on November 12 and November 15, 2026, with matches scheduled at Go Media Stadium in Auckland and One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. These fixtures will be the All Whites’ only matches in the upcoming international window.
The series is the third senior meeting between the two sides, following a goalless draw at the 1981 Merdeka Tournament and New Zealand’s 2-1 win in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup. Head coach Darren Bazeley has included several newcomers in the 22-man group and confirmed Chris Wood as captain; Corban Piper, Matthew Sheridan and Nathan Walker have received their first call-ups. The second fixture will be the first-ever international match staged at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
With Max Crocombe omitted from the squad, goalkeeping responsibility is expected to fall to Motherwell custodian Alex Paulsen. The Bournemouth loanee has made 18 appearances across competitions this season for his loan club and has earned 11 caps for New Zealand. Paulsen featured in each of the All Whites’ last three friendlies and was in goal for the penalty-shootout win against Panama.
Wales-born centre-back Finn Surman, 23, has established himself as a regular in New Zealand’s defence, collecting 22 caps and scoring three goals. Surman has played in each of the All Whites’ 15 previous matches, completing 90 minutes in all but three of those games. At club level he has registered one goal and one assist in 31 appearances across all competitions for the Portland Timbers.
Attacker Callum McCowatt, who plays for Danish side AGF, offers versatility through the middle and on either flank and has been productive this season with five goals and four assists in 16 appearances across all competitions. For New Zealand he has scored four goals in 37 appearances since making his debut seven years ago. McCowatt’s form for AGF has made him a key option in the All Whites’ attacking options.
Tyler Bindon, the 21-year-old son of former New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon, is on loan at Charlton Athletic from Nottingham Forest and has made six appearances for the Addicks, registering an assist. Darren Bazeley is likely to pair him in central defence with Finn Surman against India. Bindon already has 32 caps for New Zealand and has scored three international goals.
Captain Chris Wood, 34, made his international debut in 2009 and has amassed 95 appearances and 45 goals for the All Whites, making him his nation’s all-time leading scorer. He has made nine appearances across all competitions for Nottingham Forest this season without scoring, contributed two assists during the FIFA World Cup 2026 and set up New Zealand’s only goal in their most recent friendly against Japan.
India will meet New Zealand on November 12 at Go Media Stadium in Auckland and on November 15 at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, with Chris Wood leading the All Whites as captain for both matches.