New Zealand’s Ryan Thomas is the latest to join the growing list of injured All Whites ahead of the March international window.
The 23-cap midfielder will miss the Eredivisie match between his PEC Zwolle side and Utrecht on Monday (NZT) after playing on painkillers in recent matches.
“It’s not a strain, but it’s restricting him enough,” PEC Zwolle coach Henry van der Vegt told Dutch media.
“At some point, you’ll be taking a lot of risks, and we don’t want that.
“If he could have trained today, he would have been in the squad. There were too many ifs and buts, so we decided to keep him out. We want to keep him fit for longer.”
Van der Vegt said he hopes Thomas, who is the team captain, would be able to return for PEC Zwolle’s game against Ajax on Monday March 2, 2026 (NZT).
Thomas is one of a growing number of All Whites combating injuries, including:
Sarpreet Singh
Midfielder Sarpreet Singh (26) faces up to eight weeks’ treatment for an injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee, suffered in his comeback game for A-League club Wellington Phoenix. He is set to miss New Zealand’s March internationals against Finland and Chile.
READ MORE: Injury sidelines All Whites midfielder Sarpreet Singh for up to eight weeks >>>>
Sarpreet Singh … faces up to eight weeks in the treatment room.
Matthew Garbett
Midfielder Matthew Garbett (23) is having treatment for a foot injury that’s kept him sidelined for Peterborough United’s last four games in the English Football League One. The club says they hope he’ll return to play Port Vale on March 8 (NZT).
READ MORE: All Whites Marko Stamenic and Matthew Garbett to miss upcoming club games >>>>
Liberato Cacace
Wing back Liberato Cacace (25) has a hamstring problem, his fourth injury since joining English Championship club Wrexham. Though manager Phil Parkinson says he thinks the injury is minor, Cacace’s return to play is being managed cautiously.
READ MORE: Scan reveals encouraging news on injury to All White Liberato Cacace >>>>
Chris Wood
All Whites captain Chris Wood (34) is receiving rehabilitation treatment after surgery on his left knee in December. He has not played since October.
READ MORE: Injured All Whites skipper Chris Wood on his fight to get fit >>>>
Oli Sail
Goalkeeper Oli Sail (30) has been ruled out of New Zealand’s FIFA Men’s World Cup campaign after rupturing a tendon while playing for Auckland FC in the men’s A-League on January 31.
READ MORE: All Whites ‘keeper Oli Sail ‘out for quite a while’ after suffering injury >>>>
Goalkeeper Oli Sail is taken off the pitch after injuring his knee.
Meanwhile, midfielder Marko Stamenić will not play for his Swansea City club for the rest of February after picking up a suspension after his 10th yellow card in the English Championship season.
His club has five league fixtures in March, giving Stamenić the chance to reclaim his place in the team before the FIFA international window in late March.
READ MORE: Eden Park booked for final All Whites games ahead of FIFA Men’s World Cup >>>>
READ MORE: How to buy your tickets for All Whites’ games against Finland and Chile >>>>
Fixtures
Games to be played on Friday March 27, 2026
Chile v Cape Verde
Eden Park, Auckland, 4pm
New Zealand v Finland
Eden Park, Auckland, 7pm
Games to be played on Monday March 30, 2026
Cape Verde v Finland
Eden Park, Auckland, 4pm
New Zealand v Chile
Eden Park, Auckland, 7pm
This story was first published on February 21, 2026.