Marko Stamenic to debut for New Zealand at World Cup

Marko Stamenic, a 24‑year‑old midfielder of Swansea City, is set to feature for New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

New Zealand open their group against Iran in Los Angeles in the early hours of Tuesday.

Stamenic made his senior debut for New Zealand in 2021.

He recalls watching the All Whites’ 2010 World Cup campaign with his father Nikola Stamenic, who died suddenly in October 2023.

Stamenic said his father “is the best man I will ever know” and that he feels “goose bumps every time” thinking of him on the pitch.

He added that he believes his father is watching from above and hopes to make him proud.

New Zealand are the lowest‑ranked nation at the tournament.

Their group also contains Egypt and Belgium, and the last time they played at a World Cup they drew with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.

In their final warm‑up, New Zealand were beaten 1‑0 by England.

Three days earlier they suffered a 4‑0 loss to Haiti.

Stamenic joined Swansea City from Nottingham Forest last summer.

He logged 38 Championship appearances and scored three goals, including his first for Swansea against Oxford in December.

Swansea manager Vitor Matos is targeting a play‑off push in the 2026‑27 season.

Stamenic missed four Swansea matches while on compassionate leave after his father’s death and praised the support from staff and teammates.

The midfielder impressed at the 2019 Under‑17 World Cup, earning a move to FC Copenhagen the following spring.

He later won the Danish title in 2022‑23, the Serbian top flight with Red Star Belgrade the next season, and the Greek Super League with Olympiacos in 2024‑25.

Despite Swansea finishing 11th in the Championship, Stamenic says he still hopes to add silverware and a World Cup victory to his résumé.