The All Whites have taken notice of the Wellington Phoenix’s start to the A-League Men season.
Almost a third of the All Whites squad named for this month’s internationals against India are Phoenix players, with seven players selected.
Centre back Bill Tuiloma (49 caps), club captain Alex Rufer (30 caps) and goalkeeper Henry Gray (1 cap) have kept their places in the national team after featuring in the last window, while fullback James McGarry (7 caps) has been recalled and striker Corban Piper, fullback Matt Sheridan and forward Nathan Walker have earned their maiden call-ups.
Piper has started the A-League season in red-hot form, scoring three times in the first three games.
Sheridan has balanced defensive solidity with attacking output combined, providing two assists.
Walker has impressed off the bench, grabbing an assist in the opening match as well as a goal against the Newcastle Jets last time out.
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley has congratulated the trio on their maiden call-ups.
“We track around 50 players so they have all been on our radar for a while,” Bazeley said. “But it is their brilliant form at the start of the season which has led to them being selected and we look forward to seeing them step up to this level.
“With these games coming at the end of a really busy year, and with the number of European club games that some of our players are now playing, we have had to look at some different options for this window but that gives other players the chance to impress which I’m looking forward to seeing.
“It’s great to be back playing at home here in New Zealand at the end of this big year and I’m looking forward to getting this group together and putting in strong performances against India to finish 2026 on a high.”
The All Whites will play India at 7pm on Thursday, November 12 at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, before facing them again at 4pm on Sunday, November 15 at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.
