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"Didn't think I was going to be here a few years ago": All Whites midfielder looks forward to first World Cup

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sat, 6 Jun 2026, 3:58pm
Ryan Thomas of New Zealand reacts during the FIFA Series match between New Zealand All Whites and Chile at Eden Park on March 30, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Ryan Thomas of New Zealand reacts during the FIFA Series match between New Zealand All Whites and Chile at Eden Park on March 30, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

"Didn't think I was going to be here a few years ago": All Whites midfielder looks forward to first World Cup

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sat, 6 Jun 2026, 3:58pm

The FIFA World Cup is nearly upon us, and the All Whites are in the midst of their final preparations.  

They have one last pre-season match, going up against England tomorrow after Wednesday’s disappointing performance against Haiti.  

As a result of a hamstring injury picked up last month, midfielder Ryan Thomas isn’t involved in either warm up games – though he’s confident he’ll be right by the World Cup opener against Iran.  

It’s his first World Cup, and he told Piney he didn’t think he was going to be here a few years ago, so he’s taking everything in stride. 

Thomas says the injury put a little bit of a halt on everything, but it’s going really well and he’s just happy to be there. 

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