~ All Whites defender speaks to FIFA about taking part in his first World Cup and the team's ambitions at the upcoming global showpiece.
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 24.05.2026) :: Finn Surman was just six years old when New Zealand last competed at the FIFA World Cup™. Watching at home on TV, a news clip of Winston Reid scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against Slovakia in the All Whites' opener at South Africa 2010 immediately hooked the sports-mad youngster.
The Portland Timbers defender was a talented all-rounder as a child, playing the likes of cricket, hockey, athletics, volleyball and basketball. But football quickly became his passion and he focused on the sport full-time from the age of 14, quickly rising through the ranks in the New Zealand age groups.
After taking part in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ and Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024, the 22-year-old is now preparing for his first FIFA World Cup after being selected in the New Zealand squad.
In two World Cup appearances to date, New Zealand have yet to win a game or progress past the group stage. The challenge at the upcoming showpiece will be significant, with the Kiwis drawn to face Belgium, Egypt and IR Iran in the group stage.
But Surman is eager for the opportunity to test himself on the greatest stage of them all, as he tells FIFA.
How does it feel to be going to a World Cup?
I was pretty happy when the coach rang me and told me I would be in the squad. It's a little bit of a relief also as I've played in a lot of squads in the lead-up and so to be actually be named is super special.
Is it even more special because you play your club football in the United States?
A little bit. It's a cool thing that I know the landscape and what football is like over here. Also we're going to play at least two games in a stadium which I've already played at [BC Place Vancouver], which is nice and have some familiar surroundings.
Will you have friends and family coming over to watch you play?
My mum, dad and auntie are looking like they are coming over for our group games, which will be awesome to have them there to watch me.
What do you make of New Zealand's group stage opponents?
We've got really strong opponents in our group. Maybe some of the teams aren't the biggest names in world football necessarily but they're still good really teams and have exceptional players. It's going to be a tough group but it's super exciting for us as a team that we are feeling that we can get out of the group. That is our goal - to get our first win at the World Cup - and to also make it out of the group.
To what extent did New Zealand's participation at South Africa 2010 inspire you?
I didn't watch the games at the time - I didn't even play football at the time. I do remember watching the news one night after one of the games and seeing Winston Reid scoring against Slovakia as a game-drawing goal and that is the inspirational moment that I think of.
When exactly did you get into the sport?
It sounds crazy to say that starting at ten is late. I played football at school at lunchtime but I didn't play for a club until I was ten. Before that, my sports were cricket and hockey as my main two sports. As I was growing up, I did a bit of athletics as well and a bit of basketball and volleyball. A lot of sports growing up in New Zealand and then probably when I was 14 or 15, I switched to only football.
How would you describe your game?
I would describe myself as a defender that really enjoys defending. I place a lot of value on winning duels, clearing the ball, winning tackles, making blocks and that sort of stuff. I do think that translates to how I play on the field - I am what you would call a defender's defender. I also like to take the ball and move it forward and create a little bit with my passing but first things first is trying to be a good defender every single game.
How do you think playing at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 and Paris Olympics in 2024 have helped prepare you for the big stage?
I think any international experience will help me. The U-20 World Cup was my first experience of playing outside of New Zealand against international players who were already playing at a high level so that was an eye-opening experience. And in Paris everyone was a bit older, more experienced and just better... so playing against international teams in tournament [settings] is valuable.
What do you expect the atmosphere will be like at your World Cup games?
I'm really hoping for packed-out crowds and to be able to play in front of a lot of fans is always special. I know that international support is different to club support and at New Zealand we're really excited to see the amount of Kiwis that are going to travel over and support us. Hopefully, there will be lively atmospheres that will make you feel that you're playing in the biggest tournament in the world.
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