Veterans get callup, Wood to captain All Whites

New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley has included veterans Tommy Smith and Kosta Barbarouses in his FIFA World Cup squad.

Chris Wood will captain the 26-player All Whites squad to go to North America. Their pool matches are against Iran, Egypt and Belgium.

Bazeley made the announcement today, saying 55 players were in contention and the task of leaving out some of them was "really challenging".

Smith, 36, and Wood, 34, were the only players named who were at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - the last time New Zealand took part, while Barbarouses, 36, was a non-travelling reserve.

Veteran defender Tommy Smith with coach Darren Bazeley. Photo: Getty Images

Auckland FC players Jesse Randall, goalkeeper Michael Woud and Callan Elliott are three of the more recent inclusions in Bazeley's squads, while Newcastle Jets midfielder Lachlan Bayliss is the least experienced with just two caps.

Among those to miss out are Wellington Phoenix's Bill Tuiloma, Logan Rogerson and Andre de Jong, who were in the squad earlier this year.

"As a coaching team, we have selected a squad that we feel will put us in the best place to perform - a blend of really exciting young talent and experienced players to maximise our chances of winning games and getting out of our group," Bazeley said.

"This is never going to be an easy process, and the responsibility isn't lost on us, but I'm confident we have landed on the best possible squad to face Iran, Egypt, Belgium and beyond."

The Kiwis will be hoping to post their first World Cup win after missing the knockout phase in 2010 with three straight draws.

Chris Wood in action during a friendly against Australia last year. Photo: Getty Images

Striker Wood, New Zealand's most prolific goal-scorer, was confirmed as captain after a frustrating, injury-hampered season for English club Nottingham Forest.

"It'll be an absolute privilege to be leading the side out as captain at this year's World Cup ... and hopefully create some history," he said in a video at the naming ceremony.

He will hope for goal-scoring support from forwards Callum McCowatt, Ben Waine and Randal.

Barbarouses was included despite a forgettable season for A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers, the winger earning a place after missing out on selection for 2010.

It has been a long journey for 74-cap Barbarouses, who was a member of three failed World Cup campaigns and was sent off for a rash challenge during a 1-0 playoff defeat by Costa Rica that ended New Zealand's hopes of qualifying for Qatar 2022.

The squad will have two lead-up games before their Cup begins. They play Haiti at Fort Lauderdale in Tampa, Florida on June 3 and England at the same venue four days later.

The United States, Canada and Mexico are hosting the FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 19.

- additional reporting by Reuters