Meet the Pacific Islanders playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Three players of Pacific Islander heritage will debut for New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing representation from the Cook Islands and Samoa to the tournament. Marko Stemanic, a midfielder born in Wellington, will make his World Cup debut after a career that includes stints with Swansea City, FC Copenhagen, Red Star Belgrade, and Olympiacos. He became the first Samoan and only the second New Zealand player to appear in the UEFA Champions League, following in the footsteps of Wynton Rufer. Stemanic captained New Zealand for the first time in 2024 and has started 36 of his 38 international matches. Max Crocombe, a goalkeeper from the Cook Islands, earned his place in the squad after winning the Golden Glove at the 2024 OFC Men’s Nations Cup, where he kept a clean sheet throughout the tournament. He has 24 international caps and currently plays for Millwall FC in England. Crocombe’s late grandmother, Marjorie Crocombe OBE, was a renowned Cook Islands author and academic. Michael Boxall, a defender from Samoa, is New Zealand’s sixth-most-capped player with 63 appearances and has represented the country at two Olympic Games (2008 and 2024). He scored his first international goal in the 2026 World Cup qualification final against New Caledonia, securing New Zealand’s spot in the tournament. Boxall has spent a decade in Major League Soccer, making 276 appearances for Minnesota United FC, where he holds the record for most minutes played. The trio’s participation highlights the growing influence of Pacific Islander players in New Zealand football, with Stemanic and Boxall both serving as captains for the national team. Their inclusion in the 2026 World Cup squad underscores the diversity and talent within the All Whites, while also honoring their cultural heritage. Stemanic’s father, Niko, passed away in 2024, and his mother described his achievement as a tribute to both his Samoan and Serbian roots.