From dropping to the National League to playing in the World Cup in just 37 days: Tommy Smith beat the odds to make his dream come true.
Tommy Smith says he was “mentally done with football” in the summer of 2023 after his time with Colchester United came to a natural end. He talked about retiring with his family, wondering if it was the right time to quit football for good. But deep down, Tommy felt he still had one goal left to reach, even if it seemed unlikely.
After making over 500 appearances for teams like Ipswich Town, Colorado Rapids, and MK Dons, he knew this wasn’t the end just yet.
“The reason I kept going was simple,” the 36-year-old told SPORTbible from New Zealand’s training base in the US. “I wanted to finish by making a World Cup squad. I didn’t want to fade away quietly.”
Smith has spent the past three years working toward this moment. On Friday night at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, he might play in the last match of his 18-year pro career when New Zealand face Belgium in their last group game.
If that happens, Smith will step away on the biggest stage instead of a small 4,000-seat ground like the Lamb Ground in Staffordshire, home of Tamworth.
Over the years, Smith’s wife and kids have traveled with him and “sacrificed so much” to help him chase his dream. They’ll be in the stands tonight, cheering for a man who’s officially the lowest-ranked English league player competing at this World Cup.
New Zealand’s dream is still alive. A win against Rudi Garcia’s Belgium could boost their points to four, which might be enough to grab second place or qualify as one of the best third-place teams.
“One good result could change everything,” says Smith.
Before his World Cup call-up, it looked like Tommy’s dream was over. After leaving New Zealand, where he played a year with Auckland FC, he joined National League side Braintree Town for the 2025-26 season—a risky move that could have hurt his chances with the national team.
Things got tougher when Braintree got relegated in April, finishing second from bottom, and Smith made only 21 appearances. “I had four separate injuries, so I wasn’t guaranteed a spot,” he says. “The worst was during the March international window.”
Instead of joining New Zealand for friendlies against Finland and Chile in March, Smith was told by coach Bazeley to stay with Braintree and get more game time.
But then came a disaster in a game against Brackley Town on March 24.
“I pulled my hamstring,” Smith remembers, wincing. “I came off in tears. It was pouring with rain, and I thought my World Cup dream was gone.”
A scan revealed a Grade 2B injury, keeping him out for four to eight weeks. With only four and a half weeks until the season’s last game, he knew he had to recover fast.
After many restless nights, Smith played an hour in Braintree’s final match against Tamworth, which they lost 5-1. Did he think he’d done enough to get a call-up?
“I was driving home after dropping the kids at school when Darren called,” he says. “The phone signal was bad, so I waited to call him back. I was so nervous.”
“He asked about my family first, and all I wanted was for him to get to the point.”
Then Darren said, “How would you like to come to the World Cup?” Relief flooded over Smith. “I said out loud, ‘Thank God for that!’ I’ve been working toward this for years.”
Without that World Cup dream, he probably would have retired three years ago. “So for this to happen now was special,” he says.
It’s been a tough season for Braintree. Along with relegation, the club faced a transfer embargo in May due to financial struggles from low attendance and overspending. But there’s hope the embargo might lift soon, as the club expects a six-figure payment from FIFA by mid-July thanks to Smith’s World Cup spot.
FIFA pays clubs as a ‘thank you’ for contributing players to the World Cup. Even if New Zealand is knocked out early, Smith’s time in the tournament will bring Braintree at least £128,000.
“You never want to see a club struggling,” Smith says. “The money won’t fix everything but could help in the short term and keep things running while they look for investors.”
New Zealand sits at the bottom of Group G. They earned a tough point against Iran in their first game but lost 3-1 to Egypt next.
Smith hasn’t played yet in this World Cup, 16 years after appearing for New Zealand in the 2010 tournament.
“My role has changed,” he says. “I used to expect to start every game, but now at 36, I’m realistic. Younger players are shining, and I focus on leadership and experience.”
He still wants to play but knows he can help the team off the pitch too.
So what’s next for Tommy Smith? Unlike many players who stay in football, he’s ready for a new path.
“I’m studying to become a financial adviser,” he shares. “Once I qualify, I’ve got a chance to join a financial advisory firm.”
“I want a break from football,” he smiles. “People say I’ll miss it or come back in some way, but I want my weekends free. I want to watch my kids play football and be there for them.”