From fifth division to the World Cup: Tommy Smith’s unlikely New Zealand return

Tommy Smith, a former Premier League and lower-league defender, has been named in New Zealand’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, despite spending this season in England’s fifth and then sixth tiers. The 36-year-old is set to appear at his second World Cup, as New Zealand returns to the tournament for only the third time in its history, and the first 48-team edition will feature several smaller nations.

Smith was born in 1990 in Macclesfield and began his professional career in 2007 with Ipswich Town, where he made 247 appearances before moving through various English lower-league clubs and later returning to Australia. Last summer he signed for Braintree Town in the National League, but the club finished 23rd out of 24 and were relegated to the semi-professional National League South. Injuries also limited him to 17 league appearances.

Despite that, national coach Darren Bazeley selected the veteran center back, who will make history alongside striker Chris Wood. The two will become the only Oceania players to feature in two different World Cups. Smith also remains tied to a New Zealand record from the 2010 World Cup, when the team finished unbeaten in the group stage, the only side to do so, and Smith played every minute. New Zealand finished third in that group, ahead of defending champions Italy.

Smith said before the tournament, “In 2010 we finished third in the group. This time, some third-place teams will also advance, so we have a chance if we get one positive result.” He added that the main goal is to reach the knockout stage and warned opponents not to underestimate New Zealand. He has not decided whether the tournament will be his last, saying he is focused only on the World Cup for now. If he makes three group-stage appearances, he will move into New Zealand’s top 10 all-time appearance makers, with 56 caps before kickoff. New Zealand are scheduled to face Iran, Egypt and Belgium in the group stage.