From Palmerston North to the Global Stage: Why Eli Just believes the All Whites can shock the world

As the All Whites prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attacking midfielder Elijah Just is emerging as the X-factor in New Zealand’s ambitious bid to progress beyond the group stages.

The transition from a central North Island university town to the grit of the Scottish Premiership is rarely a straight line. For Elijah Just, the journey began with long, post-school drives from Palmerston North to Wellington, eventually leading to a dormitory life at the Olé Football Academy in Porirua at age 14. Now 26 and a standout at Motherwell, Just is carrying the hopes of a nation that is quietly preparing to surprise the footballing world.

A tactical shift in momentum

The All Whites’ recent form provides more than just optimism; it offers a blueprint. Their 1-0 victory over African champions Ivory Coast in Toronto—a result largely secured through disciplined defending and a clinical counter-attacking goal from Just—marked a turning point. Despite being outplayed for stretches, the side showed the kind of tactical maturity required at the FIFA World Cup. By managing the workload of talisman Chris Wood and relying on the defensive resilience of players like Finn Surman and Tyler Bindon, New Zealand demonstrated they are no longer just making up the numbers.

This newfound confidence was also on display during their World Cup qualifying campaign, beginning with a dominant 3-0 win against Tahiti. Just opened the scoring within 91 seconds, a moment that underscored the efficiency coach Darren Bazeley is trying to instil in his squad. Whether it is the grit shown against Ivory Coast or the early pressure applied against Tahiti, the team is finding ways to win against diverse opposition.

Why it matters: The bigger picture

The rise of players like Just is reflective of a wider trend in New Zealand football: a reliance on high-intensity development and European exposure. For a nation that has historically struggled to bridge the gap between regional qualifiers and global competitiveness, the 2026 cycle represents a critical juncture. If the All Whites are to finally move past the group stage, they must maintain this blend of defensive steel and the individual brilliance of an attacking unit that is starting to click. The ability to rotate senior players like Wood while integrating emerging talent suggests a squad depth that was previously missing.

The road ahead

As the team looks toward upcoming friendlies, the focus remains on fixing the small, glaring failures that have plagued them in the past—such as squandered chances in front of goal. Yet, there is a palpable belief in the camp that they can shock the world. For Just, who has swapped the familiar surroundings of his youth for the high-stakes environment of Scottish football, the mission is clear. The All Whites are no longer content with participation; they are hunting for a legacy-defining performance on the global stage.