Braintree defender Tommy Smith named in New Zealand's 2026 World Cup squad

Braintree Town defender Tommy Smith is set to compete in his second World Cup with New Zealand in 2026.

World Cup qualification and squad selection Braintree Town defender Tommy Smith has been included in New Zealand’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup by head coach Darren Bazeley. The 36-year-old defender, who previously played for Ipswich Town and Colchester United, has been adjusting to his new team environment after the squad traveled to Florida last month. New Zealand will compete in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran, with their base set in San Diego for the tournament. Their opening match is scheduled against Iran on June 16 in Los Angeles. ## Smith's career highlights and personal reflections Smith described his upcoming participation as the 'crowning glory of his career,' marking his second World Cup appearance 16 years after his debut in South Africa in 2010. Speaking to a local radio station, he emphasized the rarity of this opportunity at his age, saying, 'I’m 36 years old now, and realistically this is not going to happen again for me as a player, so I’m just trying to embrace every moment, enjoy it, contribute as much as I possibly can, and enjoy the whole experience.' He also reflected on his deep connection to New Zealand, where he spent much of his youth, calling the pull to represent the country stronger than ever under the current and past coaching setups. ## Journey from Auckland City to Braintree Town Before joining Braintree Town last year, Smith spent a season with Auckland City in New Zealand, where he served as vice-captain and helped the team finish as league leaders in the domestic season. However, Auckland City was eliminated in the semi-finals of the A-League Finals series by Melbourne Victory. Following that stint, Smith returned to England in August and signed with Braintree. His time at the club has been challenging, as Braintree was relegated from the National League, finishing second-bottom in the standings and now preparing to compete in the sixth tier of English football. ## World Cup aspirations and challenges Smith acknowledged the strength of their opponents in Group G, including players like Mo Salah, Jeremy Doku, and Kevin De Bruyne, and accepted that New Zealand will enter as underdogs. He stated, 'We understand the stature of players that we’re coming up against and we know we’re the underdogs and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.' Smith also expressed pride in the team’s young, ambitious players who see the World Cup as an ideal stage to showcase their talent. He added, 'There’s no better place to do that than at the World Cup and with the whole world watching.' ## Smith's 2010 World Cup experience Smith played every minute of New Zealand’s 2010 World Cup campaign, where the team remained undefeated but failed to advance from the group stage. New Zealand drew all three matches—against Slovakia, Paraguay, and then-world champions Italy—finishing third in Group F just one point shy of qualifying for the knockout rounds. Reflecting on this experience, Smith said, 'The goal all along is to get out of the group stage, make it to the knockout phase.' He noted that in 2026, the best third-placed teams will advance, giving New Zealand a stronger chance if they secure at least one positive result. ## Future plans and club uncertainties Back home in England, Smith remains uncertain about his next career move after his contract with Braintree expired. He revealed that players have not been paid for the last month, with the club owner reportedly seeking investors to settle outstanding debts. Smith commented on the situation, saying, 'The fans deserve better, and they deserve a club functioning and challenging to the top end of the league next season.' He has told manager Steve Pitt that he will assess his options after the World Cup, adding, 'I’m out of contract so I’ve said to Steve we’ll see how the land lies after the World Cup—obviously all my focus is on this at the moment.' Smith also hinted at the possibility of ending his career at the World Cup but has not made a final decision yet.