NZ's Bayliss: From Aussie Roots to World Cup Dreams

Lachlan Bayliss eyes World Cup spot with New Zealand

New Zealand's World Cup hopes get boost from Jets' Bayliss, seeking to fill Chris Wood's shoes. Lachlan Bayliss joins New Zealand camp eyeing World Cup spot, having impressed with Newcastle Jets in A-League.

Bayliss targets World Cup debut for NZ, having scored 5 goals in 5 games for Jets...

Lachlan Bayliss is set to take a big step in his football career as he joins the New Zealand national team camp in Auckland, eyeing a spot in Darren Bazeley's World Cup squad.

The 23-year-old midfielder, born in Sydney and raised in Darwin, has a unique background - he's an Aussie Rules fan with no Kiwi accent.

Bayliss threw in his lot with his late father's homeland a few years ago and earned a surprise spot on New Zealand's Paris Olympics squad.

Getting a maiden call-up for Bazeley's senior squad is another pleasant surprise for Bayliss, who'll push for selection in World Cup warmups against Finland next week and Chile a few days later at Eden Park.

“It was sort of out of the blue because I haven't been called up for any camps,” Bayliss said concerning his selection on Wednesday.

“Although I'd been playing well, I was hoping I'd done enough to be ‌invited to the camp and, thankfully, I had, but it's still ⁠a surprise and a shock, nonetheless.”

Bayliss is having a standout season with the Jets, and maybe he's being too humble about his chances.

The 23-year-old has been on fire, scoring five goals in five matches earlier this year, and is enjoying career-best form in his third season at the Jets.

With Chris Wood out due to injury, Bazeley might be looking for Bayliss to step up and add some creativity to New Zealand's attack in the World Cup warmups.

Bayliss is feeling more confident, having been given the freedom to push forward for the Jets, who have one of the strongest attacks in the A-League.

“It's been more of a positional shift. Throughout my first 50 or so A-League games, I've been playing a lot deeper than I probably have in my younger career,” he said.

“I ‌definitely regard myself as more of an attacking midfielder, but I think I'm a very versatile player who can do a job in a number of positions, which is probably why I've been shifted around so much.

“Like I've had games at right back, defensive midfielder, wing, striker.

“So, yeah, I think it's that solidity and playing attacking midfielder, having a number of games there in a row that helped me to reach that form that I've been in at the moment.”

Bayliss has timed his rise to perfection, earning his New Zealand chance just months before the All Whites return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

New Zealand are grouped with Iran, Belgium, and Egypt, though Iran's participation is uncertain following recent US-Israel tensions in the region.

Blink and you’ll miss it 😳🚀 A screamer in 21 seconds wins Goal of the Month!

It’s another award for the Newcastle Jets, courtesy of Lachie Bayliss’ banger 💪#GOTM #ALMGOTM @IsuzuUTE pic.twitter.com/rbV0D8jdx0

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) February 12, 2026

Australia, Bayliss's birth nation, will also be at the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

His brother James, also a midfielder, played A-League football for Central Coast and now plays for Auckland FC in a new Oceania league. Bayliss said he never discussed playing for Australia with their coaches, and is proud to wear New Zealand's silver fern.

IT’S AN EIGHTH WIN IN A ROW FOR NEWCASTLE JETS IN FRONT OF A 15,000+ CROWD ✈️🔥📈

Lachie Bayliss’ goal gets the job done for the ladder leaders to seal a gritty three points.

Mark Milligan’s men are unstoppable right now 💪 pic.twitter.com/j8iE2O4pvm

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) February 22, 2026

“It's definitely nice that I have a good connection to both countries. A ⁠lot of people try and just make you ⁠decide to pick one or the other,” he said.

“(I'm) just grateful I got my passport and wish I'd gotten it sooner, honestly.”