The Six Kiwis chasing Premier League promotion and when they play each other

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Author: Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2026, 4:14pm

(From top left clockwise) Liberato Cacace, Marko Stamenic, Elijah Just, Luke Brooke-Smith, Max Crocombe and Tyler Bindon will all be pushing for Premier League promotion with their Championship clubs. Photo / Photosport

The English Championship is stacked with six Kiwis with all hoping to do enough to lift their team into the Premier League and join All Whites captain Chris Wood’s Nottingham Forest.

Elijah Just’s move to Swansea doubled their All Whites representation, with midfielder Marko Stamenic already at the club.

Just left Scottish side Motherwell for a record fee to join the Championship club after a stellar season in the Scottish Premiership and becoming the All Whites’ all-time top goalscorer at the Fifa World Cup.

Goalkeeper Max Crocombe joined Millwall as a free agent in June 2025, but spent much of the season on the bench as the Lions finished third but missing out on promotion in the play-offs.

However, he has had more of a presence this season as the club look to go one step further and force their way into the Premier League.

Liberato Cacace’s Wrexham recovered from a torrid start to their 2025-26 campaign to finish seventh and miss out on a play-off spot by two points, giving them a strong chance of pushing higher up the table this season with more experience under their belt.

Tyler Bindon returns to the Championship again, this time with Charlton Athletic after stints with Reading and Sheffield United, where he made 26 appearances across all competitions.

Teenager Luke Brooke-Smith signed for Portsmouth in the latest transfer window on a four-year deal.

Despite being one of the younger players in the team, Brooke-Smith has been making regular appearances for his new side who will likely be fighting a battle at the other end of the table to his fellow countrymen.

Championship NZ derby fixtures (all times NZT)

Swansea City v Wrexham - Sunday, September 6, 7am

Charlton Athletic v Portsmouth - Sunday, September 13, 2am

Millwall v Swansea City – October 14, 7.45am

Portsmouth v Millwall – October 25, 1.30am

Portsmouth v Swansea City - November 4, 8.45am

Wrexham v Portsmouth - November 29, 4am

Wrexham v Charlton Athletic - December 9, 8.45am

Charlton Athletic v Swansea City - December 13, 4am

Millwall v Charlton Athletic - December 20, 1.30am

Millwall v Portsmouth - December 30, 8.45am

Swansea City v Charlton Athletic - January 2, 4am