New Zealand Coach Becomes First to Manage in All FIFA Tournaments

Darren Bazeley has achieved a unique milestone in international football, becoming the only coach to have managed a national team in every FIFA competition. This distinction was secured after New Zealand's recent draw against Iran at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Bazeley's extensive FIFA tournament experience commenced in 2013 with the U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. He subsequently guided the "All Whites" through the U-20 World Cups in 2015 (as hosts), 2017, and 2023. After reaching the knockout stages in three separate U-20 tournaments, Bazeley also led the team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, though they did not advance past the group stage.

His role extended to assisting the senior team, which paved the way for his promotion to head coach in 2022. He replaced Danny Hay and successfully steered New Zealand back to a senior World Cup after a 16-year absence. The coach, born in Northampton, has left an indelible mark on New Zealand's footballing history through his consistent involvement across FIFA's diverse competitions.