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2025–26 Wellington Phoenix FC season

Wellington Phoenix
2025–26 season
Preseason match between Wellington Phoenix and Wrexham on 19 July 2025.
ChairmanRob Morrison
ManagerGiancarlo Italiano
StadiumWellington Regional Stadium[i]
A-League Men10th
Australia CupQuarter-final
Top goalscorerLeague: Ifeanyi Eze
(8 goals)
All: Ifeanyi Eze
(8 goals)
Highest home attendance12,091
vs. Auckland FC
(8 November 2025)
A-League Men
Lowest home attendance3,030
vs. Newcastle Jets
(14 December 2025)
A-League Men
Average home league attendance4,985
Biggest win3–0
vs. Brisbane Roar (A)
(3 January 2026)
A-League Men
Biggest defeat0–4
vs. Heidelberg United (A)
(19 August 2025)
Australia Cup
1–5
vs. Melbourne Victory (A)
(29 December 2025)
A-League Men
All statistics correct as of 13 February 2026.

The 2025–26 season is Wellington Phoenix Football Club's 19th season in the A-League Men. In addition to the domestic league, the club participated in this season's edition of the Australia Cup.

In the Australia Cup, the Phoenix progressed to the quarter-finals after defeating Perth Glory in a penalty shootout and NPL Victoria 3 team Nunawading City 1–0.[2] Ultimately, the club succumbed to NPL Victoria side Heidelberg United on 19 August 2025.[3] This was the last time the club participated in the Australia Cup, as New Zealand-based teams were omitted from the 2026 edition onwards.[4]

The Phoenix commenced their A-League Men campaign on 18 October 2025 away to Perth Glory.[5] The regular season will conclude in April 2026.[6]

In January 2026, it was announced that the naming rights for Wellington Regional Stadium, known as Sky Stadium from 2020–2026, would be renamed Hnry Stadium effective 1 March 2026.[1]

Players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  NGA Josh Oluwayemi
3 DF  NZL Corban Piper
4 DF  CAN Manjrekar James
5 MF  NZL Fin Roa Conchie
6 DF  NZL Tim Payne
7 FW  NGA Ifeanyi Eze
8 MF  AUS Paulo Retre
9 MF  NZL Sarpreet Singh (on loan from TSC)
10 FW  AUS Nikola Mileusnic
11 FW  AUS Carlo Armiento
12 DF  NZL Daniel Edwards
14 MF  NZL Alex Rufer (captain)
15 DF  NZL Isaac Hughes
16 MF  NOR Sander Kartum (on loan from Heart of Midlothian)
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW  NZL Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues (scholarship)
18 DF  NZL Lukas Kelly-Heald
19 FW  NZL Nathan Walker (scholarship)
20 MF  LBN Ramy Najjarine
23 FW  NZL Luke Supyk
24 DF  NZL Xuan Loke (scholarship)
25 MF  JPN Kazuki Nagasawa
27 DF  NZL Matthew Sheridan
28 DF  NZL Bill Tuiloma
29 FW  NZL Luke Brooke-Smith (scholarship)
30 GK  NZL Alby Kelly-Heald
37 MF  NZL Anaru Cassidy (scholarship)
39 DF  NZL Jayden Smith (scholarship)

Other players with first-team appearances

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
31 DF  NZL Ryan Lee
40 GK  NZL Eamonn McCarron
No. Pos. Nation Player
46 MF  NZL Lachlan Candy

Transfers

Transfers in

No. Pos. Player Transferred from Type/fee Contract length Date Ref.
7 FW Nigeria Ifeanyi Eze Iraq Al-Karkh Free transfer 1 year 15 July 2025 [7][8]
11 FW Australia Carlo Armiento Unattached Free transfer 1 year 22 July 2025 [9]
10 FW Australia Nikola Mileusnic Perth Glory Free transfer 1 year 13 August 2025 [10]
4 DF Canada Manjrekar James Unattached Free transfer 1 year 21 August 2025 [11]
12 DF Daniel Edwards Australia Avondale FC Free transfer 1 year 15 September 2025 [12]
20 MF Lebanon Ramy Najjarine Unattached Free transfer 1 year 15 September 2025 [13]
28 DF Bill Tuiloma Unattached Free transfer 2.5 years 14 January 2026 [14]
16 MF Norway Sander Kartum Scotland Heart of Midlothian Loan 6 months 16 January 2026 [15]
9 MF Sarpreet Singh Serbia TSC Loan 5 months 6 February 2026 [16]

From youth squad

N
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Notes
37 MF New Zealand Anaru Cassidy 19 2-year scholarship contract[17]

Transfers out

No. Pos. Player Transferred to Type/fee Date Ref.
4 DF England Scott Wootton Perth Glory End of contract 30 June 2025 [18][19]
19 DF Sam Sutton Perth Glory End of contract 30 June 2025 [18][20]
7 FW Kosta Barbarouses Western Sydney Wanderers End of contract 30 June 2025 [21][22]
11 FW North Macedonia Stefan Colakovski Unattached End of contract 30 June 2025 [23]
12 MF Portugal Francisco Geraldes Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim End of loan 30 June 2025 [23]
35 GK Dublin Boon Unattached End of contract 30 June 2025 [23]
9 FW Japan Hideki Ishige Unattached Mutual contract termination 16 January 2026 [15]

Pre-season and friendlies

The Phoenix began their preseason in July 2025, with Wrexham AFC, a Welsh club in the EFL Championship, touring three A-League Men clubs as part of their preseason Wrexham Down Under tour.[24] On 20 September, the club hosted an open day including a fixture against Central League champions Wellington Olympic.[25] On 24 September, the Phoenix confirmed their final three preseason matches in New South Wales against A-League Men opponents Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, and Central Coast Mariners.[26]

19 July 2025 Wellington Phoenix New Zealand 1–0 Wales Wrexham Wellington, New Zealand
17:00 NZST
  • Flowerdew 49'
 Report Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 25,399
20 September 2025 Wellington Phoenix New Zealand 6–1 New Zealand Wellington Olympic Upper Hutt, New Zealand
13:00 NZST
Report
Stadium: NZCIS
26 September 2025 Sydney FC Australia 1–0 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix Sydney, Australia
  • Macallister
Report Stadium: Leichhardt Oval
4 October 2025 Western Sydney Wanderers Australia 1–1 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix Australia
 Report
12 October 2025 Central Coast Mariners Australia 0–3 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix Gosford, Australia
Report
Stadium: polytec Stadium

Competitions

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
A-League Men 18 October 2025 24 April 2026 Matchday 1 17 5 5 7 28 33 −5 029.41
Australia Cup 27 July 2025 19 August 2025 Round of 32 Quarter-final 3 1 1 1 2 5 −3 033.33
Total 20 6 6 8 30 38 −8 030.00

Last updated: 13 February 2026
Source: Competitions

A-League Men

Main article: 2025–26 A-League Men

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
8 Brisbane Roar 18 6 4 8 18 23 −5 22
9 Perth Glory 17 6 2 9 21 25 −4 20
10 Wellington Phoenix[a] 17 5 5 7 28 33 −5 20
11 Central Coast Mariners 16 5 4 7 21 24 −3 19
12 Western Sydney Wanderers 17 4 5 8 15 23 −8 17
Updated to match(es) played on 17 February 2026. Source: A-Leagues
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) wins; 5) head-to-head results; 5a) head-to-head points; 5b) head-to-head goal difference; 6) Fair Play points; 7) away goal difference; 8) away goals per match; 9) home goal difference; 10) home goals per match; 11) toss of a coin in an event of a tie of two clubs.
Notes:
  1. ^ Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for Asian Football Confederation competitions as they are based in New Zealand, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation.

Results summary

As of 13 February 2026.

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
17 5 5 7 28 33  −5 20 3 2 4 15 16  −1 2 3 3 13 17  −4

Results by round

Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
GroundAHAHHHAHHAAHAAHHAHHAHAAAHA
ResultDWDLLWLLWLWDWLDLD
Position42478671171091089101110
Points14555888111114151818191920
Updated to match(es) played on 13 February 2026. Source: Ultimate A-League
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

The A-League Men fixtures for the season were released on 11 September 2025.[6] On 20 November 2025, the Phoenix confirmed their final home match of the season, set for 18 April 2026, will take place in Christchurch. This marks the second consecutive year the Wellington Phoenix play a match in the South Island city.[27]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

18 October 2025 1 Perth Glory 2–2 Wellington Phoenix Perth
19:45 AWST
Report
Stadium: HBF Park
Attendance: 7,868
Referee: Ben Abraham
26 October 2025 2 Wellington Phoenix 2–1 Brisbane Roar Wellington
15:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 6,890
Referee: Daniel Elder
2 November 2025 3 Central Coast Mariners 1–1 Wellington Phoenix Gosford
17:00 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Polytec Stadium
Attendance: 4,813
Referee: Tim Danaskos
8 November 2025 4 Wellington Phoenix 1–2 Auckland FC Wellington
19:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 12,091
Referee: Ben Abraham
22 November 2025 5 Wellington Phoenix 0–1 Macarthur FC Wellington
17:00 NZDT Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 3,677
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
29 November 2025 6 Wellington Phoenix 2–1 Adelaide United Wellington
17:00 NZDT
Report
  • Garuccio 74'
 Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 3,063
Referee: Daniel Elder
6 December 2025 7 Auckland FC 3–1 Wellington Phoenix Auckland
17:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Attendance: 21,997
Referee: Adam Kersey
14 December 2025 8 Wellington Phoenix 1–3 Newcastle Jets Wellington
15:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 3,030
Referee: Alex King
21 December 2025 9 Wellington Phoenix 3–1 Central Coast Mariners Wellington
15:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 3,587
Referee: Tim Danaskos
29 December 2025 10 Melbourne Victory 5–1 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
19:00 AEDT
Report
Stadium: AAMI Park
Attendance: 10,769
Referee: Shaun Evans
3 January 2026 11 Brisbane Roar 0–3 Wellington Phoenix Kippa-Ring
16:00 AEST Report
Stadium: Kayo Stadium
Attendance: 8,961
Referee: Ben Abraham
11 January 2026 12 Wellington Phoenix 2–2 Adelaide United Wellington
15:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 3,068
Referee: Lachlan Keevers
18 January 2026 13 Sydney FC 0–2 Wellington Phoenix Sydney
17:00 AEDT Report
Stadium: Allianz Stadium
Attendance: 13,678
Referee: Sam Kelly
23 January 2026 14 Newcastle Jets 4–1 Wellington Phoenix Newcastle
19:35 AEDT
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Attendance: 8,207
Referee: Declan Woods
30 January 2026 15 Wellington Phoenix 2–2 Melbourne City Wellington
19:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 3,679
Referee: Alireza Faghani
6 February 2026 16 Wellington Phoenix 2–3 Melbourne Victory Wellington
19:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 5,783
Referee: Jack Morgan
13 February 2026 17 Western Sydney Wanderers 2–2 Wellington Phoenix Sydney
19:35 AEDT
Report
Stadium: CommBank Stadium
Attendance: 4,461
Referee: Adam Kersey
21 February 2026 18 Wellington Phoenix v Auckland FC Wellington
17:00 NZDT Report Stadium: Sky Stadium
1 March 2026 19 Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC Wellington
15:00 NZDT Report Stadium: Hnry Stadium[i]
6 March 2026 20 Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix Adelaide
19:05 ACDT Report Stadium: Coopers Stadium
14 March 2026 21 Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory Wellington
15:00 NZDT Report Stadium: Hnry Stadium[i]
21 March 2026 22 Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix Brisbane
14:00 AEST Report Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
5 April 2026 23 Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
17:00 AEST Report Stadium: AAMI Park
12 April 2026 24 Melbourne City v Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
15:00 AEST Report Stadium: AAMI Park
18 April 2026 25 Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney Wanderers Christchurch
17:00 NZST Report Stadium: Apollo Projects Stadium
24 April 2026 26 Macarthur FC v Wellington Phoenix Sydney
19:35 AEST Report Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Australia Cup

Main article: 2025 Australia Cup

The round of 32 Australia Cup draw took place on 26 June 2025, with the Phoenix drawing A-League Men rivals Perth Glory.[28] The draw for the round of 16 and subsequent rounds took place on 30 July 2025.[29] This was the last time Wellington Phoenix participated in the Australia Cup, as New Zealand-based teams were omitted from the 2026 edition onwards.[4]

27 July 2025 Round of 32 Perth Glory 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(7–8 p)		 Wellington Phoenix Perth
15:00 AWST
Report
Stadium: Kingsway Reserve
Attendance: 1,141
Referee: Liam Barclay
Penalties
10 August 2025 Round of 16 Nunawading City 0–1 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
15:00 AEST Report
Stadium: Nasiol Stadium
Attendance: 1,423
Referee: Eric Saba
19 August 2025 Quarter-finals Heidelberg United 4–0 Wellington Phoenix Melbourne
19:30 AEST
Report Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 1,547
Referee: Lachlan Keevers

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.

As of 13 February 2026
No. Pos. Nat. Player A-League Men Australia Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Nigeria Josh Oluwayemi 9 0 2 0 11 0
3 DF New Zealand Corban Piper 7+10 2 0 0 17 2
4 DF Canada Manjrekar James 13+1 1 0 0 14 1
5 MF New Zealand Fin Roa Conchie 6+6 0 3 0 15 0
6 DF New Zealand Tim Payne 8 0 2 0 10 0
7 FW Nigeria Ifeanyi Eze 17 8 0+2 0 19 8
8 MF Australia Paulo Retre 2+6 1 0+3 0 11 1
9 MF New Zealand Sarpreet Singh 1 0 0 0 1 0
10 FW Australia Nikola Mileusnic 0+5 0 0 0 5 0
11 FW Australia Carlo Armiento 16 5 0+2 0 18 5
12 DF New Zealand Daniel Edwards 2+1 0 0 0 3 0
14 MF New Zealand Alex Rufer 16 2 0+1 0 17 2
15 DF New Zealand Isaac Hughes 14 2 3 0 17 2
16 MF Norway Sander Kartum 2+2 1 0 0 4 0
17 FW New Zealand Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues 0+3 0 3 0 6 0
18 DF New Zealand Lukas Kelly-Heald 11+4 0 3 1 18 1
20 FW Lebanon Ramy Najjarine 14+1 2 0 0 15 2
23 FW New Zealand Luke Supyk 0+1 0 1+2 0 4 0
24 DF New Zealand Xuan Loke 3+3 0 3 0 9 0
25 MF Japan Kazuki Nagasawa 17 2 3 0 20 2
27 DF New Zealand Matthew Sheridan 15+2 0 3 0 20 0
28 DF New Zealand Bill Tuiloma 3+2 1 0 0 5 1
29 FW New Zealand Luke Brooke-Smith 0+11 0 2+1 0 14 0
30 GK New Zealand Alby Kelly-Heald 3 0 0 0 3 0
31 DF New Zealand Ryan Lee 0+1 0 0 0 1 0
37 MF New Zealand Anaru Cassidy 0+2 0 0 0 2 0
39 DF New Zealand Jayden Smith 1 0 1 0 2 0
40 GK New Zealand Eamonn McCarron 5+1 0 1 0 7 0
46 MF New Zealand Lachlan Candy 0 0 0+1 0 1 0
Player(s) transferred out but featured this season
9 FW Japan Hideki Ishige 2+1 0 3 1 6 1
42 FW New Zealand Fergus Gillion 0 0 0+1 0 1 0

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.

As of 13 February 2026
Rank No. Pos. Nat. Name A-League Men Australia Cup Total
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card
1 11 FW Australia Carlo Armiento 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1
2 4 DF Canada Manjrekar James 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1
3 7 FW Nigeria Ifeanyi Eze 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
14 MF New Zealand Alex Rufer 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
5 8 MF Australia Paulo Retre 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0
15 DF New Zealand Isaac Hughes 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
18 DF New Zealand Lukas Kelly-Heald 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
24 DF New Zealand Xuan Loke 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0
9 1 GK Nigeria Josh Oluwayemi 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
3 DF New Zealand Corban Piper 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
6 DF New Zealand Tim Payne 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
25 MF Japan Kazuki Nagasawa 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
27 DF New Zealand Matthew Sheridan 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total 19 0 2 5 0 0 24 0 2

Clean sheets

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.

As of 13 February 2026
Rank No. Nat. Goalkeeper A-League Men Australia Cup Total
1 40 New Zealand Eamonn McCarron 2 1 3
Total 2 1 3

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Known as Sky Stadium from 2020 until 28 February 2026 and as Hnry Stadium from 1 March 2026 onwards.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Wellington Regional Stadium to be renamed Hnry Stadium as new sponsor signs on". The New Zealand Herald. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  2. ^ Rollo, Phillip (10 August 2025). "Wellington Phoenix break Nunawading City hearts with stoppage-time winner in Australia Cup round of 16". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  3. ^ Ward, Roy; Dundas, Greg (20 August 2025). "'We can do it': Heidelberg's semi-pros back at work and eyeing another A-League upset". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b Weiner, David (27 January 2026). "New Zealand teams axed from Australia Cup in major change for 2026 knockout competition". football360.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  5. ^ Voerman, Andrew (19 October 2025). "Wellington Phoenix come from two goals down to draw with Perth Glory". Stuff. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b "A-League schedule released after delays". RNZ. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Nix land exciting Nigerian striker". Wellington Phoenix. 15 July 2025.
  8. ^ Rollo, Phillip (15 July 2025). "Wellington Phoenix sign Nigerian goal-scorer Ifeanyi Eze to replace Kosta Barbarouses". Stuff. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Left-side attacker joins the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Nix sign renowned A-League speedster". Wellington Phoenix. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Nix sign physically dominant defender". Wellington Phoenix. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Perseverance pays off for experienced Kiwi footballer". Wellington Phoenix. 15 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Nix finalise men's squad with second deadline day signing". Wellington Phoenix. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  14. ^ "Experienced All Whites defender joins the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 8 January 2026.
  15. ^ a b "Nix sign Norwegian playmaker on loan". Wellington Phoenix. 16 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Welcome home Sarpreet!". Wellington Phoenix. 6 February 2026.
  17. ^ "Nix sign young midfielder to his first pro contract". Wellington Phoenix. 12 November 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Defenders to depart after Australia Cup playoff". Wellington Phoenix. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  19. ^ Morgan, Gareth (27 May 2025). "Experienced centre-back Wootton wings his way west". Perth Glory.
  20. ^ Morgan, Gareth (26 May 2025). "Glory snap up New Zealand international defender". Perth Glory.
  21. ^ "Barbarouses farewells the Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 27 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Barbarouses joins Wanderers for 2025/26 season". Western Sydney Wanderers. 18 June 2025.
  23. ^ a b c "Phoenix confirm departures of three men's players". Wellington Phoenix. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  24. ^ "Wrexham confirm tour of NZ and Australia". RNZ. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  25. ^ "Nix to hold open day at NZCIS". Wellington Phoenix. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  26. ^ "Pre-season fixtures finalised". Wellington Phoenix. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  27. ^ "Christchurch fixture finalised with tickets discounted for members". Wellington Phoenix. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  28. ^ "Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 Draw confirmed". Australia Cup. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  29. ^ Voerman, Andrew (31 July 2025). "Australia Cup draw sets up prospect of a New Zealand derby semifinal for Auckland FC, Wellington Phoenix". Stuff. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
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