Wood and 36-year-old defender Tommy Smith, who has been recalled from England's fifth-tier National League to join the All Whites squad for the first time since late 2024, will become the first New Zealand men to play at two soccer World Cups. Both were part of the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
As skipper, Wood follows Steve Sumner, who captained New Zealand to the World Cup in Spain in 1982, and Ryan Nelsen, who led the team in 2010.
The New Zealand squad was announced on Thursday by coach Darren Bazeley in Auckland. Bazeley said he faced a difficult task in paring the squad down after 40 players appeared for New Zealand in 10 matches over the last 15 months.
"It is a privilege to be in this role and name a squad for the FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of the game and the dream of everyone who plays" Bazeley said.
"We have spent the last few years building to this moment and tracking around 55 players in contention to make it.
"This is never going to be an easy process, and the responsibility isn't lost on us ... but I'm confident we have landed on the best possible squad to face Iran, Egypt, Belgium and beyond."
New Zealand, ranked 85th, have been drawn into Group G with world No.9 Belgium, No.20 Iran and No.29 Egypt and haven't advanced beyond the group stage in their two previous World Cup appearances.
"I can't wait to share the moment with you all, and create some history," Wood said in a pre-recorded video message from England played to the audience attending the team announcement.
"I hope we can do you all proud and show the world what we're capable of."
At the opposite end of the experience spectrum from central defender Smith, 23-year-old midfielder Lachlan Bayliss has been selected two months after making his international debut.
Bayliss had a breakout season with Newcastle in the A-League Men and while he was born in Australia, he qualifies for the All Whites through his New Zealand father.
Wood will be supported up front by Western Sydney Wanderers' Kosta Barbarouses, Port Vale forward Ben Waine and Callum McCowatt from Silkeborg.
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud
Defenders: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman
Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic, Ryan Thomas
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood.
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