Chris Wood led New Zealand to a commanding 3-0 victory over Tahiti in their opening match of Group B at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers, held in Port Vila. This match marked New Zealand’s return to the VFF Freshwater Stadium, where they had captured the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in June.
The All Whites wasted no time, with Elijah Just scoring a stunning left-footed shot just two minutes into the game. Wood, who recently scored for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, added to the scoreline in the 68th minute with a well-placed header from a corner kick, marking his 35th international goal.
With a secure two-goal lead, coach Darren Bazeley opted to make substitutions, introducing Kostas Barbarouses and Storm Roux into the match. Ben Waine put the final touch on the performance by scoring in the 89th minute, ensuring New Zealand walked away with a comprehensive victory.