New Zealand midfielders Ryan Thomas and Joe Bell are sidelined with leg injuries and will enter the 2026 World Cup short of match practice, coach Darren Bazeley confirmed on June 1 [1, 2].
Thomas is suffering from a hamstring strain that will keep him out of New Zealand’s friendlies against Haiti on June 2 and England on June 6. Bell has a calf problem and will miss at least the Haiti match [1, 2]. Bazeley said, "It's unfortunate (Thomas) is probably not going to get a chance to push himself forward in these next two games and other people have got that opportunity, which doesn't help him, but he's a good player" [1].
With Thomas and Bell unavailable, Alex Rufer and rookie Lachlan Bayliss are expected to start alongside Marko Stamenić in midfield for the Haiti friendly [1, 2]. New Zealand will play Haiti on June 2, followed by a match against England on June 6, both without key midfielders [1, 2].
Coach Bazeley expressed hope both Thomas and Bell will recover in time for New Zealand’s World Cup opener against Iran on June 15 [1, 2]. The team will be competing in their first World Cup since 2010 and face group stage opponents Haiti, Egypt, and Belgium [1, 2].
The immediate focus remains on last friendlies before the tournament as the squad manages injuries and finalizes its lineup ahead of the crucial opening match.