Chris Wood aims to lead New Zealand in World Cup

Chris Wood is having a fantastic season with Nottingham Forest, scoring 18 goals in the Premier League. His strong performance has helped the team climb to third place and gives them a chance to play in the Champions League next season. Wood is now turning his attention to the World Cup. He is the captain of New Zealand's national team, which aims to qualify for the World Cup for only the third time. New Zealand's previous attempts in 1982 and 2010 ended without a win in six matches. The team is favored to qualify from the Oceania region. To secure their spot, they need to defeat Fiji on Friday and then win a crucial match against either New Caledonia or Tahiti on Monday. Wood believes this squad can finally achieve a World Cup victory. He said the team's objective is to win a match and potentially progress to the later stages of the tournament. He also praised his teammates, saying they are improving and playing well in leagues around the world. New Zealand has more players competing in Europe, including Marko Stamenic, Tyler Bindon, and Matt Garbett. The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, allowing for automatic qualification for a team from Oceania. Wood feels confident that this year's team is one of the best in the nation's history and is eager to prove it on the field.