All Whites captain Winston Reid believes this generation of players have the resilience that's been missing to get New Zealand back to football's showpiece event.
On Tuesday, the 26-strong squad for next month's Intercontinental World Cup playoff against Costa Rica was named, with a third World Cup appearance now just 90 minutes away.
Reid's goal against Slovakia at the 2010 World Cup has become part of the fabric of NZ sporting history, and the defender is confident they can improve on their performance 12 years ago.
"I think we're in a better place than we have been in a long time," Reid told Newshub. "Now it just comes down to preparing and 90 minutes of football."
The former West Ham United defender has been impressed with the development of the current crop of players under coach Danny Hay, particularly given the difficulties with assembling a squad amid the pandemic.
"The last couple of years have been crazy but we've prepared as best as we possibly can," he added.
"If you look at the players now, a lot of them are playing at a really good level, which is good not only for now but for the future as well."
Hay played down fresh injury concerns around Premier League striker Chris Wood, who was absent from Newcastle United's matchday squad for Tuesday's win over Newcastle.
"He just tweaked his achilles, so it's precautionary more than anything else," said Hay. "I think we're in a good space, so I'm feeling quite comfortable at the moment."
So too are the players, who are ready for the bright lights of Qatar.
"It's just a huge kind of moment for NZ football and for all the players who are going to be involved," said Joe Champness. "It's very exciting for us."
Reid said the team's form has been years in the making.
"What I've seen from this generation is their heads are pretty screwed on," he noted. "They're pretty resilient.
"I've said to them you gotta keep at it... it's not a sprint, it's a marathon."
It's advice the 33-year old has lived by, as he prepares to lead the side into a one-off clash against Costa Rica.
"It's the main reason for playing for the national team… you want to be able to go to the World Cup," said Reid. "It's something I'll always be grateful I was able to do."
Currently without a club, Reid said he'd put that search on hold, giving World Cup qualification his undivided attention.
"I'm happy where I'm at," he insisted. "Ideally, hopefully once we can qualify then something will be sorted after that."
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