78 days to go: New Zealand rip up the rankings
FIFA counts down to the World Cup 2026 with a daily statistical story.
New Zealand were way down in 78th on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking when South Africa 2010 kicked off, yet amazingly finished it as the only unbeaten team.
The All Whites drew with Martin Skrtel, Vladimir Weiss, Marek Hamsik and Slovakia in their opener, Winston Reid making a decisive late block and heading home a 93rd-minute equaliser. Ricki Herbert’s minnows then pulled off a seismic shock, holding defending champions Italy 1-1 thanks to Shane Smeltz’s goal. It was almost even better, 18-year-old Chris Wood masterfully conning Fabio Cannavaro and firing narrowly wide. New Zealand then admirably finished goalless with Roque Santa Cruz and Paraguay. New Zealand became just the fourth undefeated side to suffer group-stage elimination. Mark Paston, Ryan Nelsen, Reid, Smeltz and Co went home as national heroes. Spain, who ultimately lifted the trophy, lost 1-0 to Switzerland in their curtain-raiser.