Football is not as popular as rugby or cricket in this geographically isolated island nation of 4.3 million people. That is why it is remarkable that 2010 will not be New Zealand’s first World Cup appearance. The All Whites, as the team is known (to distinguish them from rugby’s All Blacks), were there once before, in 1982. After an arduous 90,000-kilometre journey that took the team all over Asia and Oceania, New Zealand qualified for the finals in Spain. New Zealand lost their matches against Scotland, Soviet Union and Brazil, but by that stage history had already been made.

Strengths
New Zealand is a physically strong team with a good work ethic. The average height in the squad for the last match against Bahrain was just under 185 cm. New Zealand will be dangerous at set-pieces and will not be easily out-muscled by their opponents. The fact that this will be the first winter World Cup since 1978 will probably suit New Zealand’s playing style.

Key player
Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers, England)