Title: Braintree Defender Set to Represent New Zealand at World Cup

Tommy Smith, the defender for Braintree Town, is bracing himself for what he describes as the "crowning glory of his career." Sixteen years after representing New Zealand in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the 36-year-old is preparing for his second appearance on the global stage. Formerly of Ipswich Town and Colchester United, Smith has been named in head coach Darren Bazeley’s 26-man All Whites squad. The team has already traveled to Florida for pre-tournament preparations, where Smith has been settling into his new environment.

New Zealand has been drawn into Group G, sharing their pool with Belgium, Egypt, and Iran. During the tournament, the squad will be based in San Diego, with their opening fixture scheduled against Iran in Los Angeles on June 16. Before that clash, Smith is set to face Haiti in a warm-up match at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Wednesday at 01:00 BST.

Born in Macclesfield but raised largely in New Zealand, Smith is eager to compete against the world’s elite once more. Speaking to BBC Radio Essex, he reflected on the significance of this opportunity. "I'm 36 years old now, and realistically this is not going to happen again for me as a player, so, I'm just trying to embrace every moment, enjoy it, contribute as much as I possibly can, and enjoy the whole experience," Smith said.

He emphasized the unique bond he feels with the country. "I grew up in New Zealand and the connection you feel to the place if you've lived there is a special one and it's something that I've never taken for granted." Smith noted that the incentive to play for the national team has grown significantly under the current and previous coaching regimes. "There's been times in the past where it wasn't as powerful as it is now, the pull to come and play for New Zealand. Under the regime and the previous regime, they've really made it a special environment to come into which makes everyone want to turn up every single time and give it their absolute best."

Smith’s path back to the international stage included a season with Auckland City, where he helped the team finish as league leaders before falling in the A-League Finals semi-finals to Melbourne Victory. He returned to England in August to join Braintree, a move that came during a difficult period for the club. The Iron were relegated from the National League, finishing in second-to-last place, and now face life in the sixth tier of English football.

Despite these domestic challenges, Smith is focused on the upcoming global contest. "We understand the stature of players that we're coming up against and we know we're the underdogs and hopefully we can use that to our advantage," he explained, referencing opponents such as Mo Salah, Jeremy Doku, and Kevin De Bruyne. "I'd like to think some of these teams won't be taking us lightly, and won't be seeing us a soft touch - because if they do, hopefully, they'll be in for a rude awakening."

He added that the World Cup offers an unparalleled opportunity for his teammates. "But as players, you want to test yourselves against the best players in the world, and we've got young, hungry, ambitious players that want to kick on in their careers, and there's no better place to do that than at the World Cup and with the whole world watching."

Smith was a stalwart for New Zealand in 2010, playing every minute of their campaign. That year, the All Whites were the tournament’s only undefeated side, though they failed to advance past the group stage. They drew against Slovakia, Paraguay, and notably the defending champions, Italy, finishing third in Group F and missing out on the knockout rounds by a single point.

Looking ahead, Smith is optimistic about New Zealand’s chances in the updated format. "The goal all along is to get out of the group stage, make it to the knockout phase," he said. "We finished third in the group then [in 2010], this time around the best third-placed teams will go through, so we have a chance if we get one positive result."

Off the pitch, Smith’s future remains uncertain. Now out of contract at Braintree, he is dealing with significant financial issues at the club, including unpaid wages. "Us as players, haven't been paid for the last month, and I think the owner is just trying to find investors to get the money together to pay the debts they owe," Smith revealed. He expressed his frustration, stating, "The fans deserve better, and they deserve a club functioning and challeng[ing]."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-02 12:49:37 UTC