New Zealand

The flat 4-4-2 shape employed by head coach Darren Bazeley in the All Whites' 4-1 friendly victory in March against a weakened Chile was a rare deviation from the 4-2-3-1 that has been Bazeley's go-to formation with the ball over the last year or so. The return of main man Chris Wood and improved fitness of Sarpreet Singh and Liberato Cacace suggest a return to the usual shape, but it's a welcome wrinkle nonetheless. New Zealand are mostly direct in possession, but to cast them as long ball / deep block merchants would be inaccurate; off the ball, they press aggressively and often. The technical ability in the midfield three (including wingers Ben Old and Elijah Just) and Cacace's overlapping ability on the left flank allow the All Whites to progress with tempo, enabling Wood to be more than just a static target man.

The friendlies against Finland and Chile also showcased versatility in this group: Just filled in as the 10 vs. Finland, with winger Callum McCowatt deputising on the right wing. Three days later, McCowatt served as a second striker against Chile (with Kosta Barbarouses the traditional primary 9). Some other positional uncertainties: Max Crocombe struggled in goal against England (Alex Paulsen is waiting in the wings), and Ryan Thomas has been recovering from a slew of knee and ligament issues but could push Singh as a more defensive option in the midfield when fit.