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'Lack of urgency': What went wrong for the All Whites in Belgium loss?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sun, 28 Jun 2026, 10:39am
Youri Tielemans of Belgium and Ryan Thomas of New Zealand, New Zealand All Whites v Belgium, Group G football match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at BC Place, Vancouver, Canada on Friday 26 June 2026. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
Youri Tielemans of Belgium and Ryan Thomas of New Zealand, New Zealand All Whites v Belgium, Group G football match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at BC Place, Vancouver, Canada on Friday 26 June 2026. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport

The World Cup dream is over for the All Whites following yesterday's loss.

New Zealand's exited the tournament after group play, losing their final game 5-1 to Belgium.

Former All Whites player and coach Ricki Herbert says New Zealand's had some great moments in this year's event, but the country lacks the kind of urgency and determination needed to get ahead.

"This has been a team that a lot of people back in New Zealand have held high, and I think we were looking forward to seeing a winning result out of the group and probably, potentially, moving out of the group into the next stage. So they'll be disappointed." 

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