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Ben Waine aims to become New Zealand’s hero at World Cup
The Port Vale forward's journey from being dropped from the squad to representing New Zealand on the world's biggest stage is the kind of underdog story every tournament needs.
Not every World Cup story starts with a prodigy lighting up academies across Europe. Some start in League Two, with a player fighting just to make the matchday squad at Port Vale.
Ben Waine’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is one of those stories. The 25-year-old New Zealand forward was named to the All Whites’ squad around May 14, having clawed his way from the fringes of English lower-league football to the biggest tournament on the planet.
From Wellington to the world stage
Waine was born on June 11, 2001, and started his professional career with the Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand’s only professional club competing in Australia’s A-League. From there, he moved to England, joining Plymouth Argyle, with a loan spell at Mansfield Town. Then came Port Vale, where he signed a two-year deal on June 30, 2025. Playing in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football, his club season wrapped up on May 3, 2026, giving him just enough runway to pivot into international duty.
His market value as of May 2026 sits at roughly €400,000.
The qualification campaign that changed everything
Waine made his senior debut for New Zealand on March 18, 2022. Since then, he’s become a key contributor under coach Darren Bazeley. During the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, Waine scored multiple goals, including key performances against Tahiti in October 2024.
He’s represented New Zealand at U-20 and U-23 levels, including appearances at both the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
What lies ahead in North America
New Zealand’s group stage opener is scheduled for June 16 against Iran. Before that, the All Whites have a warm-up fixture against England.
New Zealand’s World Cup history is thin but meaningful. The country has qualified for the tournament three times: 1982, 2010, and now 2026. In 2010, the All Whites managed the remarkable feat of going unbeaten at the tournament in South Africa, drawing all three group games against Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay.
The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, features an expanded 48-team format.