LISTEN: ‘Let’s show what New Zealand can do’ — Luke Brooke-Smith

Playmaker Luke Brooke-Smith says he and his teammates want to show the world what New Zealand are capable of when they play hosts Chile in their opening game at the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup.

“I think it’ll be a good, almost a surprise to the world, is what we want to do, and show what New Zealand football can do at youth levels,” Brooke-Smith (17) told NewstalkZB sports host Jason Pine.

The national U-20 side will play hosts Chile at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, at 12-noon on Sunday September 28, 2025 (NZT).

Main photo: Luke Brooke-Smith … ‘New Zealand team keen to show what they can do’.

Brooke-Smith said he was finding it “refreshing” to play in a squad of players more his own age.

“We all know each other fairly well. I think it’s about getting the connection on the field.

“We’ve had so many trainings together now. We’ve been here (Chile) for about a week and a bit, so leading into the game, we’re almost like a family, which I think is going to help us so much,” Brooke-Smith said.

Three of the U-20 squad — Lukas Kelly-Heald, Henry Gray and Brooke-Smith — have already been involved with the All Whites.

Brooke-Smith became one of the youngest-ever All Whites when he made his debut against Australia in September’s Soccer Ashes series.

READ MORE: Record for youngest-ever All Whites debut has lasted almost fifty years >>>>

Listen to Luke Brooke-Smith interview

READ MORE: New Zealand to play Chile in front of 48,000 crowd at FIFA U-20 World Cup >>>>

READ MORE: Chris Greenacre: ‘These matches can be life-changing for young players’ >>>>

New Zealand squad

Adama Coulibaly – Auckland FC, New Zealand
Finn McKenlay – Auckland FC, New Zealand
Oliver Middleton – Auckland FC, New Zealand
Codey Phoenix – Auckland FC, New Zealand
Josey Casa-Grande – Bristol City, England
James Bulkeley – North Texas SC, United States
Henry Gray – Ipswich Town, England
Troy Putt – Minnesota United, United States
Stipe Ukich – NK Istra 1961, Croatia
Keegan Kelly – University of Denver, United States
Luke Brooke-Smith – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Fergus Gillion – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Lukas Kelly-Heald – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Xuan Loke – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Jayden Smith – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Luke Supyk – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nathan Walker – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Ryan Watson – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Noah DuPont – West Bromwich Albion, England
Joe Wallis – West Bromwich Albion, England

Fixtures

Game to be played on Sunday September 28, 2025 (NZT)

Chile v New Zealand
Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, 12pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Wednesday October 1, 2025 (NZT)

New Zealand v Egypt
Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, 9am (NZT)

Game to be played on Saturday October 4, 2025 (NZT)

New Zealand v Japan
Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, 12pm (NZT)

Draw for 2025 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup

READ MORE: New Zealand U-20 men’s squad named to play two-match series in Chile >>>>

READ MORE: New Zealand book their spot at next year’s FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup >>>>

READ MORE: Coach Chris Greenacre: ‘It’s all about giving them exposure on the world stage’ >>>>

This story was first published on September 28, 2024.

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