Ben Waine Profile, Stats and Career
Ben Waine heads into the New Zealand World Cup 2026 squad with a clear role and a verified international record. Waine kept his place in the All Whites pool after moving deeper into the English lower-league system. The official World Cup squad release listed him with Port Vale and on 30 caps with nine goals. This article covers Ben Waine age, club status, stats, salary situation, and national-team standing.
Quick Answer
Ben Waine is a New Zealand forward who plays for Port Vale. New Zealand Football listed him on 30 caps and 9 goals in the final World Cup 2026 squad release. His recent club period helps explain why he stayed in the national-team picture.
Ben Waine Personal Info and Career Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Peter Waine |
| Date of birth | 11 Jun 2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Height | 179 cm / 1.79 m |
| Weight | 78 kg |
| Position | Forward |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Port Vale |
| Jersey number | 19 |
| Weekly salary | About €5,220 per week from public wage trackers |
| Estimated net worth | No verified public estimate |
Early Life and Background
Waine was born in Wellington and rose through the Wellington Phoenix academy. He arrived as a forward with cleaner movement than his age suggested, and the club trusted him to grow inside a professional environment. That early trust put him on the senior path quickly.
His game also matured through New Zealand age-group football and Olympic exposure. Waine learned to work as a linking forward rather than only a poacher. That wider skill set helped him move into English football later.
Birthplace, Family, and Youth Football Journey
Ben Waine was born in Wellington, New Zealand and built his early football through Wellington Phoenix academy. That background gave him the base for senior football before the international breakthrough arrived.
Transfer News and Market Value
Waine kept his place in the All Whites pool after moving deeper into the English lower-league system. The official World Cup squad release listed him with Port Vale and on 30 caps with nine goals.
Public market trackers place Waine around the mid six-figure range, with recent visible estimates near €535,000. That figure leaves room to rise again if his scoring volume moves back up.
Ben Waine Salary and Net Worth
Public wage trackers estimate Ben Waine at about €271,440 per year, which works out to roughly €5,220 per week. Port Vale have not published a contract figure.
No verified public source currently confirms Ben Waine net worth as of May 21, 2026.
Ben Waine Club Career
Wellington Phoenix gave Waine first-team minutes and a visible platform in the A-League. Plymouth Argyle later took him to England, while Port Vale became the next stop in his search for steadier scoring form. The move kept him in a competitive English environment before World Cup 2026.
Early Clubs and Development
Ben Waine used early clubs and academy football to build the parts of his game that still matter now. That development path is why he reached this stage with a more complete skill set than many players of the same age range.
Wellington Phoenix gave Waine first-team minutes and a visible platform in the A-League. Plymouth Argyle later took him to England, while Port Vale became the next stop in his search for steadier scoring form. The move kept him in a competitive English environment before World Cup 2026.
Current Club and Recent Form
Port Vale used Waine regularly through 2025-26. Public stat listings credit him with 27 appearances, three goals, and one assist. That is not a headline return, yet it was enough to keep him inside New Zealand final attacking plans.
The recent form also matters around New Zealand squad, Chris Wood, and Jesse Randall. New Zealand need players who arrive with match rhythm, role clarity, and enough recent football to handle tournament pressure.
Ben Waine Club Career Stats
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Port Vale | 27 | 3 | 1 |
International Career
Ben Waine reaches World Cup 2026 with 30 senior caps and 9 goals on the official New Zealand squad list. That record places him firmly inside the current All Whites period rather than on the fringes. He now gives the side either experience, form, or specialist value depending on the role Darren Bazeley needs.
His international path also includes Tokyo 2020 Olympics, OFC Nations Cup 2024, World Cup 2026 squad. That record matters because New Zealand rely on players who already understand tournament football and regional pressure games.
Caps, Goals, and Major Tournaments
The national-team case for Ben Waine is straightforward. He gives New Zealand verified senior production, role clarity, and a profile that fits the current squad structure.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 30 | 9 | Tokyo 2020 Olympics, OFC Nations Cup 2024, World Cup 2026 squad |
Honours and Trophies
| Honour | Team or Event | Year |
|---|---|---|
| OFC Nations Cup | New Zealand | 2024 |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Waine is a right-footed forward who can play through the middle or work off a bigger striker. He presses honestly, combines better than he gets credit for, and attacks second phases inside the box. His game is not only about size or aerial work.
That makes him a useful complement to Chris Wood rather than a copy of him. New Zealand can use Waine when they want more mobility around the central striker. His standout quality is intelligent movement across the line.
Position, Role, and Standout Qualities
Ben Waine fits best as a forward. His role is defined by reliable actions rather than empty touches, and his standout qualities are clear in both club and international football.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ben Waine?
Which club does Ben Waine play for?
Is Ben Waine in the New Zealand World Cup 2026 squad?
What kind of player is Ben Waine?
What are Ben Waine salary and net worth details?
Conclusion
Ben Waine arrives at World Cup 2026 with a verified place in New Zealand plans and a profile that still serves the squad well. The latest club and international evidence gives a clear picture of what he offers right now.
That makes his tournament role easy to understand. New Zealand are not selecting him on memory alone, because the recent record still supports the call.
