KEY POINTS:
Ricki Herbert has promised to use the full extent of the Fifa regulations if clubs cause mischief over player availability for the All Whites' World Cup qualifiers starting in October.
In his two years in charge of the national side, Herbert hasn't come close to fielding a first-choice
11 because of the interminable club versus country situation.
Players can often be pressured to skip friendly internationals, which the All Whites have played exclusively since Herbert took charge in 2005. He has accepted club managers' claims that they need a certain player. Not any more.
Fifa rules state a player must be released for international duty in international windows or the player will be barred from appearing for their club.
"We will be attacking the Fifa window very strongly," Herbert said. "Clubs are aware of what they mean.
"We are going to be dogmatic about it. All the major competitions shut down and we should be seen to be no different to any other country. This is important. This is a World Cup campaign. At the moment, everyone is available."
Herbert named his 25-man World Cup squad on Friday, complete with the likes of Ryan Nelsen, Chris Killen, Ivan Vicelich and Simon Elliott. Fourteen of the squad are based overseas, while eight, including all three goalkeepers, are with the Wellington Phoenix.
Elliott is still struggling with a troublesome leg injury which has meant he has missed all of Fulham's matches over the past 12 months. Herbert is hopeful Elliott will be able to take his place in the side but has good cover in the midfield.
The opening game is against the third-place getter at the upcoming South Pacific Games on October 13, with the return fixture four days later. The second round takes place in November and the third in September 2008.
The other three teams from Oceania are likely to come from Fiji (ranked 165), Solomon Islands (168), Vanuatu (177), New Caledonia (178) and Tahiti (180). New Zealand are ranked a lowly 148.
The winner of the Oceania qualifying series will take on the fifth-placed Asian team for a spot in South Africa and will also qualify directly for the 2009 Confederations Cup.
NZ World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Glen Moss (Wellington Phoenix), Mark Paston (Phoenix), Jacob Spoonley (Phoenix).
Defenders: Andrew Boyens (Toronto), Tony Lochhead (Phoenix), David Mulligan (Scunthorpe), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn), Steven Old (Phoenix), James Pritchett (Auckland City), Ben Sigmund (Fawkner Blues).
Midfielders: Andrew Barron (Canterbury United), Leo Bertos (Perth Glory), Chris Bouckenooghe (Red Star Waasland), Tim Brown (Phoenix), Jeff Campbell (Waitakere United), Jeremy Christie (Phoenix), Simon Elliott (Fulham), Chris James (Fulham), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew), Ivan Vicelich (RKC Waalwijk).
Forwards: Chris Killen (Celtic), Shane Smeltz (Phoenix), Jarrod Smith (Unnattached).
New Zealand got off to an inauspicious start at the Under-17 World Cup with a 7-0 loss to Brazil last night. The Brazilians scored in the opening seconds and added a second five minutes later. New Zealand captain Costa Barbarouses missed a penalty after half an hour and Brazil netted a third a minute later to lead 3-0 at the break.