The country has lost the last three cups of the male world, but the team reserved their passage to the 2026 finals in North America on Monday with the victory over New Caledonia in the Oceania final.
FIFA did not confirm the cash prize for 2026, but teams that qualified for Qatar 2022 and were eliminated from the group stage earned $ 10.5 million, including $ 1.5 million to cover preparation costs.
Money can make a big difference in small football nations like New Zealand, which has only two professional teams and a rugby -dominated sports market.
About 40% of the New Zealand World Cup profit will go to the players under an agreement with the country’s players’ union, while much of the rest will be invested in base paths and talents, Pragnell said.
“It was not a boom or bust situation if we couldn’t, but there is a lot of pressure to continue to meet the game at all levels,” said Pragnell.
“(Qualification) allows us to continue to do this, continue developing talent and refining the paths of players. It is essential that growth is sustainable.”
While all whites have a modest worldwide ranking of 89, the local game had a boost by co-organizing the women’s World Cup with Australia in 2023 and the moment continued with the addition of Auckland FC to the A-League.
Owned by American billionaire Bill Foley, Auckland FC is at the top of the table in its first season, with seven rounds remaining before playoffs.
The strong participants of the game day at Home Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland put the bed concerns that the market does not support a second professional team in New Zealand, along with Wellington Phoenix.
Auckland FC will go to a team in the 2025/26 A-League season, providing another way for professional football for New Zealand’s women’s talent.
Pragnell said NZF would soon announce details of a fund inherited from the female World Cup.
“Let’s manage it carefully to invest back in the game. It’s critical to use all our assets,” he added.
The construction of all whites for their third appearance in a World Cup next year will probably keep the ball rolling for fan involvement.
New Zealand’s qualification for its last World Cup in the late 2010 in South Africa triggered celebrations across the country, when Ricki Herbert’s team won an intercontinental playoff against Bahrain, ending an absence of 28 years of the global event.
The nation joined the team while holding Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay in three draws and left the group stage with acclaim.
Chris Wood’s whites, all whites, can expect the same attention that seek to reach the first time knockout rounds in the expansion of the 48 teams, co-organized by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With Nottingham Forest Wood striker starring Premier League, with 18 goals and players performing in other European leagues, fans are right to get excited, Pragnel said.
“I think it’s time to increase our expectations,” he said.
“We have a lot of players in Europe. And quality continues to grow.”
