New Zealand’s head coach Darren Bazeley has made it clear that his team remains just one victory away from creating football history at the 2026 World Cup. A win against Belgium on Friday could send the All Whites into the knockout stages for the first time ever. “We know we have to beat Belgium now,” Bazeley emphasized after the team’s latest match.

“There’s still one game left. Belgium is a strong side, but if we can replicate our best performances from the matches against Iran and Egypt, we still have a chance,” he explained during a press briefing. “We know exactly what we need to do—beat Belgium.”

Bazeley admitted feeling disappointed after New Zealand’s narrow defeat to Egypt. “We could have won that match—it hurts not to. We were dominant in the first half, controlling possession and playing comfortably. In the second half, we couldn’t maintain our rhythm or quality. Egypt stepped up their intensity, played well, and it was frustrating.”

“We were pleased at halftime, but we didn’t get ahead of ourselves. We struggled at times with crosses and quick transitions until Egypt turned the game around,” he said. “Everyone is shattered and frustrated. It’s painful to watch another team celebrate on the pitch. We led in both of our previous matches and had chances—we just need to convert them. Anything can happen when the margin is just one goal,” Bazeley concluded.