The All Whites’ head coach, Darren Bazeley, remains optimistic despite a tough match, reminding his team they are one win away from making history at the 2026 World Cup. A victory in their next game would secure their spot in the round of 16. “We know we need to beat Belgium, and that’s what we’ll focus on,” he emphasized.

Bazeley stressed that the upcoming clash against Belgium is a must-win scenario. “We have one match left. Belgium is a top-tier team, but if we bring our best against Iran and Egypt again, we have a real chance. We know exactly what we need to do—beat Belgium,” he stated in a post-match press conference.

The narrow defeat to Egypt left a bitter taste for the New Zealand side. “It was a game we could have won,” Bazeley admitted. “It’s painful to fall short like that. We controlled the first half, dominated possession, and played comfortably. But in the second half, we couldn’t maintain our rhythm or quality.” Egypt upped their intensity, and while they executed well, the frustration was palpable.

Despite leading at halftime, New Zealand remained cautious. “We were pleased at the break, but we weren’t celebrating yet,” he explained. “We struggled at times with crosses and quick transitions, and then Egypt turned the game around.” The disappointment was evident. “Everyone is shattered. It hurts to see another team celebrate on the pitch. We led in both of our previous matches and had clear chances. We just need to convert them. Anything can happen when the score is that close,” he concluded.