New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley was proud of his team for beating New Caledonia 3-0 to qualify for their third ever World Cup.

The All Whites met some stern resistance at Eden Park on Monday and had to wait until the 61st minute to get ahead through Michael Boxall.

But it wasn't all positive for them, with captain and record goalscorer Chris Wood having to be withdrawn early in the second half after picking up a hip injury.

"It's not great for us losing our captain and our goalscorer. It was a difficult thing for the team but they came through so well," said New Zealand's English coach Darren Bazeley.

The first hour was torturous for the Kiwis, who struggled to fashion many clear cut opportunities. Coupled with the fact there was no way through goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine and it started to become a frustrating encounter for the expectant favourites.

Wood never looked his best, managing to hit an effort backwards when miscuing a volley in the first half. 

Reaching half-time with the game still goalless, New Caledonia's players gathered in a huddle in recognition of their achievement up to that point.

But Boxall eventually broke the resistance of New Caledonia on 61 minutes, heading in a corner to register his first goal for the national team.

"When the goal went in I think I was a bit more relieved than anything. Fair play to New Caledonia, they made it pretty hard work for us," Boxall said.

"Everyone's reaction when the ball finally went into the back of the net was incredible."

Goals from Kosta Barbarouses and Elijah Just followed to make the score look more comfortable than it arguably had been, with New Zealand just the second team to book their place at the 2026 World Cup.

It will be their first appearance at the competition since South Africa in 2010, and Boxall says they are not just going to make up the numbers.

"Once the World Cup expanded we expected this of ourselves," he said. "It's not about getting there, it's about what we do when we get there."