Chris Wood led New Zealand to a dominant 3-0 victory over Tahiti in their Group B opener at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers in Port Vila. This match marked their return to the VFF Freshwater Stadium, where they had triumphed in the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in June.
Darren Bazeley’s squad wasted no time, scoring just two minutes into the match when Elijah Just launched a spectacular left-footed shot into the top of the net. Wood, fresh off scoring for Nottingham Forest against Chelsea in the English Premier League just days earlier, added to the scoreboard in the 68th minute with a header from a corner kick, marking his 35th international goal.
With a comfortable two-goal lead, Bazeley was able to make substitutions, bringing on Kostas Barbarouses and Storm Roux. Ben Waine capped off the match with a goal in the 89th minute, ensuring that New Zealand secured all three points in a commanding performance.