Wellington: New Zealand have recalled experienced winger Marco Rojas and defender Michael Boxall to their squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off against Costa Rica but attacking midfielder Sarpreet Singh misses out because of injury.
Rojas and Boxall, who missed the Oceania qualifying tournament in March because of club commitments and injury respectively, join a 26-man squad also featuring Newcastle United forward Chris Wood.
Singh, who plays in Germany’s second tier for Jahn Regensburg, has been struggling with a long-term pelvic injury that has kept him on the sidelines for much of this year.
As expected, PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ryan Thomas was also absent from the squad as he recovers from a long-term knee injury.
“I’m very happy with the squad we have assembled. This is a group that understands how we want to play and what is expected of them,” coach Danny Hay said.
The All Whites, who previously qualified for the World Cup in 1982 and 2010 but have yet to win a game, will face Costa Rica in Doha on June 14 with a spot in the 2022 finals on the line.
