The 2026 FIFA World Cup is delivering historic moments. For South African football, it brings a sense of pride through a former Betway Premiership player.
A Historic Milestone for Boxall
Former SuperSport United defender Michael Boxall has made history with New Zealand. At 37 years old, the centre-back has officially become the oldest player to feature for the All Whites at a FIFA World Cup.
He achieved this feat during the ongoing group stage matches. Boxall started in New Zealand’s 2-2 draw against Iran. He also played in their subsequent 3-1 defeat to Egypt.
By taking the field, he broke the long-standing national record previously held by Simon Elliott. Elliott was 36 years old when he represented New Zealand at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Broader Context
This milestone is a testament to longevity in modern football. Boxall spent two productive years in South Africa from 2015 to 2017. He made 70 appearances for SuperSport United under coaches Stuart Baxter and Eric Tinkler.
He then moved to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Minnesota United. Notably, he is club teammates there with Bafana Bafana forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
Boxall now sits on 65 international caps for his country. His journey reflects how the local South African league serves as a competitive platform for international talent. Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates striker Andre de Jong missed out on the final tournament squad despite playing in the warm-up friendlies.
What is Next for New Zealand?
The All Whites are facing a tough challenge in Group G. They currently sit at the bottom of the table with just one point.
They will need a positive result in their final group match against Belgium on Saturday morning to stay alive. Football fans looking for deeper tournament insights can check the latest predictions to see how the final group stage matches might unfold.
This update was originally reported by kickoff.com.