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New Zealand Football Federation confirms Matt Garbett out of World Cup due to injury
The 24-year-old midfielder suffered a hamstring injury during training ahead of the All Whites' opening match against Iran
Matt Garbett, the 24-year-old midfielder who plays club football for Peterborough United in England’s League One, will miss New Zealand’s opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Iran after sustaining a hamstring injury during training.
The New Zealand Football Federation and coach Darren Bazeley confirmed the news on June 14, 2026, following an injury Garbett picked up during a training session at the University of San Diego.
What happened
Garbett was expected to feature in Bazeley’s starting lineup for the Group Stage opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Instead, the midfielder missed the crucial final practice session and captain’s run ahead of the match.
For a New Zealand side ranked approximately 85th in the world by FIFA, losing a player of Garbett’s caliber is a meaningful setback. His experience in English professional football made him one of the more seasoned options available to the All Whites coaching staff.
The broader sports and crypto sponsorship landscape
There are no known cryptocurrency sponsorships, token partnerships, or blockchain-related deals tied to either the New Zealand Football Federation or Garbett himself.
What to watch
The match between New Zealand and Iran at SoFi Stadium will proceed without Garbett. How Bazeley reshuffles his midfield could influence the team’s trajectory through the group stage.