Fifa World Cup: All Whites captain Chris Wood reveals his feelings on the 2026 tournament

“Just being immersed in the World Cup environment was quality, it’s something that was truly special and something to remember, definitely.”

When asked what his favourite moment from the tournament was, the 34-year-old pointed to one game in particular.

“Probably that first game [against Iran]. I think the team done so well.

“It was a game in hindsight we needed to win to actually qualify and get out of the group, but we played so well, played some good football, dominated that game a lot of times and scored some good goals.

“It’d be that first game for sure.”

Wood’s club teammates complimented him and his link-up play with the All Whites’ all-time top World Cup goalscorer Elijah Just, with Gibbs-White claiming he thought the New Zealand captain would finish the tournament with the most assists.

Aina and Hudson-Odoi reminisced about the opening goal and praised Just for how he took his chance and Wood’s ability to play the ball off to him.

Wood finished the tournament with two assists, which he provided for Just in the Iran fixture, while Just’s World Cup goal tally came to three, having scored in their 5-1 loss to Belgium.

The players could face Just at some point this season in the FA Cup or EFL Cup after he signed for English Championship club Swansea City for a reported $13.8 million fee from Motherwell.

Just’s move was a club-record sale by the Scottish side and came after he was named the club’s player and players’ player of the year, earned a spot in the Scottish PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) team of the season, a nomination for the PFA player of the year and being handed the Scottish Football Writers’ Association player of the year award.

Wood has returned to Nottingham Forest for their pre-season in Portugal following an extended break after the World Cup.

Click here to read article