The All Whites are aiming to send coach Darren Bazeley off on a winning note when they host India for a pair of friendlies to close out their 2026 campaign.
The series doubles as Bazeley’s final act with the team, after NZ Football chose not to renew his contract, which expires this year.
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New Zealand play the first of two fixtures on Thursday night at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium, before the series heads south to Christchurch, where One NZ Stadium will host its first football international on Sunday.
"I have these moments where I forget, because we're into it and doing what we do, and then it comes back to me a little bit,” Bazeley said of his impending departure.
"It's a little bit emotional, but we're just getting on with our jobs and we'll prepare as properly and as normally as we do for any normal camp."
In March 2023, the Englishman took the helm on an interim basis following the departure of Danny Hay, before being appointed fulltime head coach four months later.
It was the culmination of and rich reward for years in the NZF system for Bazeley, who has overseen national teams at various age-group levels.
When he took the All Whites to North America this year, he became first to coach any country at an under-17, under-20 World Cup, Olympics and a World Cup.
"I think Baze has done an extremely good job," Chris Wood said.
"I think we've done extremely well in the World Cup although we didn't achieve the goals that we wanted to, I think over the last four years we've progressed so well as a team, as a nation.
"I have every faith that if he was given another four years he would have been able to achieve our goal of getting out of the group in the next World Cup.
"But unfortunately, it's not meant to be."
Having been developed himself through the national ranks under Bazeley, Wood offered the highest of praise for the coach’s wide-ranging influence on on the sport in Aotearoa.
"There's no other coach that's had as big an impact on New Zealand football throughout the whole of the age groups as Darren has,” he said.
"He can be truly proud of what he's been able to give to New Zealand football, give to the New Zealand community."
With his next step unclear, Bazeley has made no secret of his disappointment in being overlooked and his desire to continue in the role, but insisted he'll be savouring the next few days with his players.
"Every moment along the whole journey, I've had great memories and I'm really lucky to be in the position I've been in along the way and enjoyed it.
"I try not to think about myself too much. It's not about me, I've always said that. It's about the team.
"Everything we do as staff is about the players, helping the players get to the pitch and perform to the best they can. So I haven't thought too much about myself in a way."
In their last outings together as captain and coach, Wood hopes his Bazeley will accommodate his desire for a heavy on-pitch workload.
Out of favour with Premier League club Nottingham Forest, Wood has been starved of action in England this season, used primarily as a substitute under coach Oliver Glasner, who has favoured the likes of new signing Liam Delap upfront.
“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling positive, and I’m feeling eager to play football,” Wood told assembled media in Auckland on Wednesday.
“I haven’t got many minutes lately this season, so I’m here to get as much as possible and enjoy playing football.”
With a handful of players missing from the World Cup squad, coach Darren Bazeley confirmed he’d be taking the chance to see the trio of Wellington Phoenix newcomers – Corban Piper, Matthew Sheridan, and Nathan Walker - make their international debuts.
With some players travelling from Europe to take advantage of the international window, Bazeley conceded there would be some rest and rotation involved between the two fixtures.
“This squad's a little bit different with quite a few people missing from the World Cup, but that's an opportunity for others,” said Bazeley.
“We’ve brought in some younger players and some players that haven't been involved and yes, we'll get them on the pitch. We're not sure how many minutes at this stage but those three will all get capped.
“They'll all make their debut, which is exciting for them and for us and for the wider list of players that are becoming options for us.”
One new – yet very familiar – face stalking the sidelines at the team’s training belongs to Tommy Smith.
The All Whites veteran has swapped his bib for a whistle, as he transitions from his 56-cap international career as player into his new short-term role as specialist set piece coach.
“He’s got a wealth of experience and that's what he brings to the coaching department.
“As you get older, you get to understand ways of helping players and helping the team and that's just another way he'll be able to help his team.
“I think it's great he has a passion for it. Whether it's long term or short term we don't know I think they'll be decided in the next campaign going forward, but I know he's eager to apply himself and give back to the younger generation of New Zealand football is coming through because of how much he's been able to succeed in an All Whites jersey.”
The matches will be the first between New Zealand and the 138th ranked India, who have never qualified for a World Cup.
They’ve won just one of their games in 2026 in a schedule that includes a 6-1 defeat to Uruguay and a 4-0 defeat to Brazil.
Catch both matches live and free on Duke and TVNZ+ as the All Whites return home to take on India in a two-match international series.
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