AUCKLAND (New Zealand) - New Zealand outclassed Guam to close out their First Round on a high.
The big win stood out for it broke New Zealand's own previous Asian Qualifiers assists record of 38, set back in 2018 against Hong Kong, China. The Tall Blacks dished out 40 assists in this victory.
The record stands at 2nd all-time across all Qualifiers, falling just short of Croatia's 43 assists against Cyprus in the European Qualifiers this July 3.
Interestingly, the top 3 assists tallies in Asian Qualifiers history, are all owned by the Tall Blacks.
Most Assists in a single game (team) in World Cup Asian Qualifiers:
Rank | Date | Team | Against | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7/6/2026 | New Zealand | Guam | 40 |
2 | 6/28/2018 | New Zealand | Hong Kong, China | 38 |
3 | 11/26/2017 | New Zealand | Hong Kong, China | 34 |
| 2/28/2022 | Australia | Chinese Taipei | 34 |
| 2/25/2022 | Australia | Chinese Taipei | 34 |
Naturally, the highest ever assists also implies superior field goal conversion, and even here, New Zealand breached the best-ever mark, bettering their own previous record and, moreover, an all-time record across all Qualifiers.
Most Field Goals Made in a single game (team) in World Cup Qualifiers:
Rank | Date | Team | Against | FGM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7/6/2026 | New Zealand | Guam | 52 |
2 | 11/26/2017 | New Zealand | Hong Kong | 51 |
3 | 3/1/2026 | USA | Mexico | 46 |
| 6/30/2018 | Nigeria | Rwanda | 46 |
| 6/28/2018 | New Zealand | Hong Kong | 46 |
Besides the Asian Qualifiers all-time high dishes and World Cup Qualifiers all-time high in field goal made, New Zealand's 129 points scored in the victory also ranks as the second-best all-time in Qualifiers history. Even here, the top 3 positions are all held by New Zealand with Australia as a joint third set a few days ago.
Most Points Scored in a single game (team) in World Cup Qualifiers:
Rank | Date | Team | Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 11/26/2017 | New Zealand | Hong Kong | 133 |
2 | 7/6/2026 | New Zealand | Guam | 129 |
3 | 6/28/2018 | New Zealand | Hong Kong | 124 |
| 7/3/2026 | Australia | Guam | 124 |
5 | 7/4/2026 | Croatia | Cyprus | 123 |
| 7/4/2026 | Bahamas | Jamaica | 123 |
| 7/3/2026 | Poland | Austria | 123 |
| 3/1/2026 | USA | Mexico | 123 |
| 12/1/2026 | USA | Nicaragua | 123 |
Following this favorable result, the Tall Blacks have retained their second position in Group A by closing with a 4-2 record.
FIBA