By Rachel Lilburn
New Zealand’s over 40s team are back in Thailand, chasing their first title at the 18th edition of the Seniors World Cup.
The Seniors World Cup is an annual invitational tournament for players over 40, organised by the Seniors Football Association of Thailand and supported by the Thai FA. This year’s tournament is being held in Ubon Ratchathani, a city on the Mun River, about 615km from Bangkok.
The annual invitational tournament has again drawn a strong international field, with eight countries taking part: England, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan, the United States, Laos and France, who are competing at the tournament for the first time.
Main photo: New Zealand and Australia walk onto the pitch in the playoff for 3rd and 4th in the 17th Seniors World Cup in Thailand, in June 2025.
New Zealand have been drawn in Group B with Australia, France and Laos, and will open their campaign against Australia on Monday June 1.
Group A is made up of England, Thailand, the United States and Taiwan.
READ MORE: New Zealand over-40s to play for 3rd place at Seniors World Cup in Thailand >>
The tournament format requires each side to have three players aged 40 to 44, four players aged 45 to 49 and three players aged 50 or older on the pitch at one time.
New Zealand finished fourth at the 2025 tournament, after reaching the final in 2024, their best result at the Seniors World Cup.
Main photo: Main photo: The starting line-up for New Zealand against Taiwan. June 2025
READ MORE: New Zealand take runners-up spot at Seniors World Cup in Thailand >>
The tournament kicks off on Monday June 1, 2026, and runs till June 6, 2026.
The tournament was set up in 2006 to help bring back the tourists after the 2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean tsunami, and it’s run annually ever since, bar two COVID-disrupted years.
New Zealand have participated since 2008, and their 1-0 loss to England in 2024’s final was the best result they’ve had.
The playing format is four 20-minute quarters. Each side must have three players aged 40–44, four aged 45–49 and three aged 50 or older on the pitch at all times. The over-50s are allowed rolling subs.
Most games are being played in the evenings in hot and humid conditions, often with 28-30-degree heat and an average humidity of 80%.
The competition has historically been at a high level, with many countries’ squads featuring ex-professionals and former internationals.
The New Zealand side is not an official national team, however, the organisers do have a letter of endorsement from NZ Football.
A key part of the tournament every year is a community day, where all teams run coaching sessions and games for local children. All teams are asked to bring some gifts to hand out to local children, such as football gear, balls and souvenirs from their home country.
The New Zealand squad with local children at the 2024 tournament.
The New Zealand squad includes a core of players from last year’s team, with several new faces added to strengthen the group.
Preparation has been a challenge, with players spread across New Zealand and others travelling from the United Kingdom and Australia.
The full squad will come together in Bangkok for the first time a few days before the tournament, with a training session planned for Friday May 29.
They will then fly to Ubon Ratchathani on Saturday May 30, ahead of their opening match against Australia.
The New Zealand team thank their 2026 sponsors, who have helped with kit and travel apparel costs: Personnel Touch Recruitment, EightyOne, Hot Chilli, Howard & Co, Reality and Carters.
They have also thank New Zealand Football for acknowledging their participation in the international event.
Shelley Cameron has joined the team this year to help provide updates and stories during the tournament.
2025 New Zealand Over-40s
Nick van Hattan, Regan Cameron, Craig Alderdice, Nicholas Longley, Paul Seaman, Darren Cheriton, Hicham Kamri, Timothy Butterfield, Miroslav Malivuk, Raf de Gregorio, Isaac Duker, Jared McElhannan, Ersel Kizilay, Simon George, Allen Chote, Steven McMahon, Dave Ure, Tuione Faleafa, Graham Little, Luis Corrales, James Cudd, Matt West, Paul Whitmarsh, Kevin Thompson, Richard Gillespie.
Physio: Susanne Duker.
Management and support team: Dave Copson, Dave Batty, Graham Little, Shelley Cameron, Marko Malivuk, James Little, Martin Van Hattun, Lauren Haller.
If you are interested in being involved in future tournaments, contact David Batty at Dbatty21@gmail.com.
Some games are livestreamed on the Facebook channel: https://www.facebook.com/sfathailand
You can follow along with team updates on the NZ Masters Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/714624220485116
Rachel Lilburn
Hamilton-based Rachel Lilburn is the mother of a football-mad youngster, and has been a team manager and volunteer. She writes for WaiBOP Football as well as contributing stories to Friends of Football.
This story was published on May 29, 2026.