Chris Wood - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Remains limited to bench role Wood has played just 111 minutes across eight Premier League appearances this season, all coming off the bench.

Impact Wood has struggled to secure regular playing time this campaign, remaining behind Igor Jesus and Liam Delap in Nottingham Forest's attacking pecking order. The striker has been limited to brief substitute appearances and has yet to make a Premier League start this season. His situation is unlikely to change significantly unless injuries affect the forwards ahead of him, leaving him with limited opportunities to make an impact.

20 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Denied late equalizer after introduction Wood had one shot (zero on goal) in Sunday's 1-0 loss against Arsenal.

Impact Wood recorded one off-target shot during five minutes off the bench in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. He entered during the closing stages as Forest searched for an equalizer and immediately found himself in a promising position inside the penalty area, but Declan Rice produced an excellent recovery block to deny his attempted finish. Wood's late opportunity represented one of Forest's clearest chances to salvage a point, although the striker was unable to convert as the hosts suffered another scoreless home defeat.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Slides down striker pecking order Wood has come off the bench in four of Nottingham Forest's first five Premier League matches and has a completely different role under new coach Oliver Glasner.

Impact Wood has fallen behind Igor Jesus and club-record signing Liam Delap in the striker pecking order, limiting him to 62 minutes without a goal or assist and one single shot through the opening stretch of the season. He remains a useful aerial and hold-up option late in matches even without a starting role. His path back into regular selection likely hinges on rotation for cup fixtures rather than Premier League starts.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

One shot in sub appearance Wood registered one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Leeds United.

Impact Wood came from the bench but was unable to make an impact as his only shot ended off target. He only managed 11 starts in the Premier League last season and has been put on the bench again. In his 28 minutes he managed one shot and drew one foul.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Starts, scores penalty vs. Brest Wood (thigh) returned to the starting lineup and scored a penalty in Sunday's friendly against Stade Brestois, a positive sign ahead of the season opener against Leeds United, the...

Impact Wood had already been expected to be available after coach Oliver Glasner said the club was taking no risks following a difficult last season, describing his recent issue as more of a precaution after a very minor muscle injury. His 2025-26 campaign was disrupted by injury, limiting him to 15 Premier League appearances and three goals, a sharp fall from the 20 he scored the year before, and this return marks an encouraging step forward. New Zealand's group stage exit at the World Cup had already brought him back early, and Wood is expected to build toward a regular role under new coach Glasner as the season approaches.

AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE

Likely available for final friendly Wood (thigh) is expected to be available for Sunday's friendly against Stade Brestois, according to Roundtable.

Impact Wood had withdrawn from the starting lineup for the earlier match against Udinese as a precaution after feeling something in his thigh, with coach Oliver Glasner downplaying the issue as nothing serious at the time. His planned return in Forest's final preseason outing is an encouraging sign given his history with a serious knee injury that limited him for much of last season, and his continued recovery will be worth tracking as the club wraps up its preseason preparations.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Spotted walking fine Monday Wood (thigh) appeared to be walking fine at a cricket outing, according to Jak Netting of VAVEL.

Impact Wood had withdrawn from the starting lineup for the match against Udinese as a precaution after feeling something in his thigh during warmups, with coach Oliver Glasner already downplaying the issue as nothing serious. This latest sighting is an encouraging sign, given his history with a serious knee injury that limited him for much of last season, and his continued recovery will be worth tracking as Forest progresses through preseason.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with thigh issue Wood withdrew from the starting lineup for Saturday's match against Udinese as a precaution after feeling something in his thigh, according to coach Oliver Glasner, per Roundtable....

Impact Wood had recently joined his teammates at Forest's preseason camp in Portugal after an extended break following the World Cup with New Zealand, where he started all three matches and set up two goals in the opening draw with Iran. Given his history with a serious knee injury that limited him for much of last season, the club's cautious approach here is understandable, and manager Glasner's comments suggest this is nothing more than a minor precaution as Forest continues its preseason preparations.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Joins squad in Portugal Wood joined his Nottingham Forest teammates at the club's preseason training camp in Portugal, the club announced.

Impact Wood took an extended break following his participation with New Zealand at the World Cup, where he started all three matches and set up two goals in an opening 2-2 draw with Iran before the All Whites were eliminated following losses to Egypt and Belgium. His arrival in the Algarve gives him the chance to link up with the squad ahead of upcoming friendlies against Vitoria and Sporting CP. Forest have already opened preseason with a win over Blackburn Rovers. Wood is expected to build toward match fitness as he begins preparations for the new campaign.

JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Mostly silent against Belgium Wood created two scoring chances, drew one foul and registered one tackle (one won) and one clearance in Friday's 5-1 loss against Belgium.

Impact Wood tried to get something going with a pair of interesting feeds while New Zealand were still in the game, but he couldn't get a shot off for the first time in the competition and progressively disappeared. He concludes the World Cup with two assists, five attempts (two on target) and two clerances and having tallied at least one key pass in every bout, piling up eight.

JUNE 27 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in Sunday's loss Wood recorded one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 3-1 defeat against Egypt.

Impact Wood, who was excellent in the opening draw versus Iran, was very quiet in Sunday's loss to Egypt. He only managed one off-target shot and one chance created in the match and struggled to find himself open space against the Egyptian defense. As the fulcrum of the Kiwi's attack, Wood will need to be at his very best in the final group stage match versus Belgium, a must-win match in order to advance to the knockouts.

JUNE 22 • ROTOWIRE

Two assists vs Iran Wood assisted twice to go with four shots (two on goal) and four chances created in Monday's 2-2 draw versus Iran.

Impact Wood provided assists for the team's both goals in the match. It was the second time that the 34-year-old provided two assists in an international match for the Kiwis. In total, Wood provided four key passes. Other than that, he registered four shots, and two were on target.

JUNE 16 • ROTOWIRE

Iran vs New Zealand Extended Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™

JUNE 16 • FOX SPORTS

Iran vs New Zealand Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™

JUNE 16 • FOX SPORTS

Just how they drew it up! 🇳🇿

JUNE 16 • FOX SPORTS

World Cup what to know: Germany pounds Curaçao, Ivory Coast wins and star-studded Spain is healthy

Curaçao’s Livano Comenencia provided a highlight and hope for the smallest country in World Cup history

JUNE 10 • Associated Press

Key striker for All Whites Wood has been named in New Zealand's World Cup squad as the primary attacking threat and designated penalty taker under coach Darren Bazeley, arriving at the tournament after a sea...

Impact Wood managed three goals across 15 Premier League appearances this season, a return hampered by the limited playing time he received at club level. Despite the reduced involvement, his predatory instincts, aerial ability and composure in front of goal remain intact, and his Premier League experience gives him the technical and physical preparation needed to compete against the best defenses in the world. For New Zealand, Wood is the focal point of the attack and the player most likely to produce the decisive moments needed to cause upsets in what will be a demanding group stage. His role as penalty taker adds an additional layer to his threat, and getting him on the ball in dangerous positions will be the primary objective of New Zealand's attacking play throughout the tournament.

JUNE 9 • ROTOWIRE

England vs New Zealand Extended Highlights | International Friendly

JUNE 6 • FOX SPORTS

Takes two shots Sunday Wood registered two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.

Impact Wood was denied by the woodwork and the opposing goalkeeper during the league finale against Bournemouth. After missing several months with a knee injury, the striker worked his way back into the rotation late in the year and even partnered Igor Jesus in a two-striker formation over the final couple of contests. The veteran generated two goals and no assists over the closing 11-game stretch with his club and is now expected to serve as New Zealand's primary scoring threat in the World Cup.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Gibbs-White might need a face mask to play for Forest in Europa League semifinals against Villa

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira says Morgan Gibbs-White is in “pain” because of a facial injury and might have to wear a mask to play against Aston Villa in the second leg...

MAY 6 • Associated Press

Wood's penalty gives Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in Europa League semifinal 1st leg

Chris Wood scored from the penalty spot to give Nottingham Forest a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the first leg of their all-English Europa League semifinal

APRIL 30 • Associated Press

Scores in smaller role Wood scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal) in Friday's 5-0 victory against Sunderland.

Impact Wood took only two shots during Friday's win, but that was all he needed as he got in on the goalscoring fun. The match was never close and Wood was more than good enough to put Sunderland to the sword. This is just his third goal of the season as injuries and form have limited Wood.

APRIL 26 • ROTOWIRE

Forest takes big step to ensuring Premier League survival by drubbing Sunderland

Nottingham Forest has taken a huge step toward ensuring its Premier League survival by beating Sunderland 5-0 away from home

APRIL 24 • Associated Press

Ready for start Wood (knee) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Burnley.

Impact Wood was an injury concern for the match after suffering an injury in his comeback to play as they took the field for a Europa League match on Thursday, luckily avoiding any setback, and is already an option Sunday. He will need to continue to build fitness as he looks ahead to the World Cup with New Zealand, having a rough season that has only seen him available for nine games due to injury after a career campaign last season.

APRIL 19 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Wood leaves Forest game with knee problem in blow to New Zealand ahead of World Cup

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood was forced out of Thursday’s Europa League quarterfinal game against Porto with a knee injury in what also could be a concern for New Zealand’s...

APRIL 16 • Associated Press

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Iran vs New Zealand Extended Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™

Iran vs New Zealand Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™

Just how they drew it up! 🇳🇿

World Cup what to know: Germany pounds Curaçao, Ivory Coast wins and star-studded Spain is healthy

England vs New Zealand Extended Highlights | International Friendly

Gibbs-White might need a face mask to play for Forest in Europa League semifinals against Villa

Wood's penalty gives Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in Europa League semifinal 1st leg

Forest takes big step to ensuring Premier League survival by drubbing Sunderland

Chris Wood leaves Forest game with knee problem in blow to New Zealand ahead of World Cup