Bobby Almond: Former All White on the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The All Whites will face Belgium, Egypt and Iran in Group G at next year's FIFA World Cup. 

New Zealand was the final ball plucked out in the first ever 48-team draw, with ice hockey's greatest Wayne Gretzky announcing their name to the world. 

Former All White Bobby Almond reacted to the announcement on All Sport Breakfast Canterbury. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, just before we leave you, let's get a quick
comment from former All Whites Bobby Ahman on that Group
G for our All Whites at the World Cup FIFA
World Cup.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
Bobby, good morning, good morning. Yes, So how are you?

Speaker 1 (00:14):
Oh, look, are you happy with Group G Belgium Egypt Iran?

Speaker 2 (00:18):
Am I happy? I'm picking. I'm thinking about the players,
and I'm thinking that they're really happy if you think
about the teams that they've been playing of late, you know,
friendlies and stuff like that. Now this is the real thing.
So Belgium, Iran, Egypt. You've got seed eight Belgium or eighth,

(00:38):
Iran the twentieth, Egypt the thirty fourth. We're eighty six
ranking in the FIFA level. So end of the day,
it's going to be a big, big, big challenge for them.
But they should also be really happy and excited about
what they're going into.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
Yeah, I mean we all think of the Football World
Cup in Brazil and Portugal and Croatia and all those.
Haven't got one of those.

Speaker 2 (01:03):
No, it doesn't really matter, leslie quite truthful, because you're
going to be tested no matter what group you're in. Yeah,
it's just a way the rankings all out. But they
just got to be excited. They've got to be really
happy that they're going to a World Cup final, which
they have never been to before. It'll be a great
experience for them and even for the management as well.

(01:24):
Puts New Zealand on the map, expands their profile of
football in New Zealand. We can't ask for anything more.
So they'll do their best, they'll give their best and
whatever happens happened. So you know, it's not a game
of luck, it's a game of skill. So let's see
how they go.

Speaker 1 (01:42):
Oh nicely said, we've got to rush because the new
sport and with us breathing down our knicks. But you're
a sport for picking up the phone.

Speaker 2 (01:49):
I'm just going to take Steve Wooden for a cup
of coffee down.

Speaker 1 (01:52):
Oh very nice, Thank you very much, Bobby Arman, you're
a good man.

Speaker 2 (01:57):
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Speaker 1 (02:01):
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