PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Peter Waine |
| Date of Birth | 11/06/2001 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Height | 1.79–1.80 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 78 kg / 172 lb |
| Position | Forward / Striker |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #19 (Port Vale) |
| Current Club | Port Vale |
| Previous Clubs | Wellington Phoenix, Plymouth Argyle, Mansfield Town (loan) |
| International Caps | 30 |
| International Goals | 9 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | €535K |
The Frozen Moment
The Vancouver stadium was electric. June 22, 2026. New Zealand and Egypt were locked in a tense World Cup group stage encounter, and the All Whites were fighting to keep their tournament hopes alive after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Iran.
Ben Waine, the 24-year-old striker from Wellington who had been released by Plymouth Argyle just a year earlier, was named among the substitutes. His World Cup debut would come against Belgium on June 27, where he played just three minutes in the final group match. For the boy who had scored his first professional goal at 18 years and 145 days, who had been the youngest goalscorer in Wellington Phoenix history, and who had represented New Zealand at the U-20 World Cup, the Olympics, and the OFC Nations Cup, the World Cup was the culmination of a career built on perseverance.
His World Cup campaign would see him make one appearance off the bench, accumulating just three minutes of tournament football. But for the striker who had scored 30 international goals across all age groups, and who had won the OFC Nations Cup in 2024, the World Cup was the pinnacle of a journey that had taken him from the Wellington Phoenix academy to the English Football League and back to the world’s biggest stage.
Origins
Ben Waine was born on June 11, 2001, in Wellington, New Zealand. His football journey began in his hometown, where he developed his skills as a forward with an eye for goal. He joined the Wellington Phoenix academy and progressed through the ranks, making his debut for the senior side in an FFA Cup match against Bentleigh Greens on August 7, 2018.
His development through the Phoenix system was rapid. He played most of his games for the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the ISPS Handa Premiership, scoring a team-high eight goals before earning a call-up to the senior team in March 2019. His early exposure to senior football would prepare him for a career that would take him from New Zealand to the English Football League.
The Forge
Wellington Phoenix (2018–2022)
Waine’s professional career at Wellington Phoenix began in earnest when he made his A-League debut on March 30, 2019, coming on as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets. He made his first start for the club on April 28, 2019, in a 5-0 loss to Perth Glory.
On November 3, 2019, Waine scored his first professional goal off the bench in Wellington’s 3-2 loss to Melbourne City, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history at 18 years and 145 days, surpassing Liberato Cacace’s record.
Over four seasons at Wellington Phoenix, Waine made 73 league appearances and scored 17 goals. His consistent performances in the A-League attracted the attention of clubs in England, and in December 2022, he made the move to Plymouth Argyle.
Plymouth Argyle (2023–2025)
On January 1, 2023, Waine signed for League One leaders Plymouth Argyle on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He scored his first goal in England against Morecambe and played a role in Plymouth’s League One title-winning campaign in the 2022-23 season.
His time at Plymouth was challenging. In the 2023-24 Championship season, he made 32 appearances but only nine were starts, scoring two goals. His performances attracted criticism from fans who noted a lack of confidence in front of goal and a lack of strength. Despite his struggles at club level, he continued to perform for New Zealand, with a strong goalscoring record at international level.
In August 2024, Waine joined Mansfield Town on loan in League One to gain regular first-team football. He made 25 appearances across the season, scoring two goals. In May 2025, Plymouth Argyle announced that Waine would be released upon the expiration of his contract.
Port Vale (2025–Present)
In July 2025, Waine joined Port Vale in League One. His first season at the club saw him make 27 league appearances, scoring three goals and providing one assist. He also featured prominently in cup competitions, scoring two goals in four FA Cup appearances and two goals in three EFL Trophy appearances. His eight goals across all competitions in the 2025-26 season earned him a place in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
The Anatomy of His Game
Waine is a forward defined by his movement, finishing ability, and work rate. His playing style is modern, favouring a central striker role with an emphasis on scoring goals and linking play.
In Possession:
Waine’s standout attribute is his finishing. He scored 17 goals in 73 appearances for Wellington Phoenix and has continued to find the net in the English Football League. In the 2025-26 season, he scored 8 goals across all competitions for Port Vale. His movement off the ball is a key strength—he has a knack for finding space in the box. He also has an eye for an assist, with 12 assists recorded across his senior club career. His passing accuracy in the 2025-26 FA Cup and EFL Trophy campaigns was strong, completing 43 of 52 passes in the EFL Trophy.
Out of Possession:
Waine is a hard-working striker who presses from the front. He is known for his willingness to close down defenders and create turnovers. His physicality has been an area of development, with some critics noting a lack of strength in the Championship. However, his work rate and determination have never been in question.
Psychological Edge:
Waine’s mental resilience is perhaps his most defining attribute. Despite struggling to make an impact at Plymouth Argyle, where he was urged to move on by fan pundits who believed he needed a confidence boost, he continued to perform for his country. His ability to score consistently at international level—nine goals in 30 caps—demonstrates his mental strength and his capacity to rise to the occasion when wearing the All Whites shirt.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League One | 27 (20/7) | 1,137 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 4 (4/0) | 351 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| EFL Trophy | 3 (3/0) | 198 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 1 (1/0) | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup | 1 (0/1) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Friendlies | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| TOTAL | 36 | 1,779 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Data sourced from FBref and Live Soccer TV
TABLE B: Career (Selected Seasons)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Port Vale | League One | 27 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024/25 | Mansfield Town (loan) | League One | 25 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024/25 | Plymouth Argyle | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023/24 | Plymouth Argyle | Championship | 32 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022/23 | Plymouth Argyle | League One | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022/23 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| 2021/22 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 25 | 6 | 2 |
| 2020/21 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 22 | 7 | 1 |
| 2019/20 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018/19 | Wellington Phoenix | A-League | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL (Senior) | — | — | 165+ | 24+ | 7+ |
Data sourced from Live Soccer TV
TABLE C: Career (Wellington Phoenix Reserves)
| Season | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2017–2020 | 38 | 15 |
| TOTAL | 38 | 15 |
Data sourced from Wikipedia
TABLE D: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Group Stage |
| OFC Nations Cup 2024 | 3 | 4 | 0 | Winner |
| World Cup Qualifying | 3+ | 1+ | 0 | — |
| Olympic Games 2020 | 3 | 0 | 1 | — |
| Olympic Games 2024 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA U-20 World Cup 2019 | 3 | 2 | 0 | Round of 16 |
| New Zealand Senior Career | 30 | 9 | — | 1 OFC Title |
Data sourced from FBref, Live Soccer TV, and Plymouth Live
TABLE E: International Goals by Year (Senior)
| Year | Goals |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 (OFC Nations Cup) |
| 2026 | 1 |
| Total | 9 |
Data sourced from FBref
TABLE F: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Senior Debut | Debuted for Wellington Phoenix in FFA Cup |
| 2019 | A-League Debut | Debut vs Newcastle Jets |
| 2019 | First Professional Goal | Scored vs Melbourne City, youngest Phoenix goalscorer |
| 2019 | U-20 World Cup | Scored brace vs Honduras |
| 2019 | OFC Olympic Qualifying | 8 goals, helped NZ qualify for Tokyo |
| 2020 | Olympic Games | Represented New Zealand at Tokyo 2020 |
| 2022 | New Zealand Debut | Senior debut vs Papua New Guinea |
| 2022 | First International Goal | Scored in World Cup qualifier |
| 2023 | Plymouth Move | Signed for League One leaders |
| 2023 | League One Title | Won title with Plymouth Argyle |
| 2024 | OFC Nations Cup Winner | Won continental title |
| 2025 | Port Vale Move | Joined League One club |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in New Zealand’s 26-man squad |
TABLE G: Honours and Achievements
| Competition | Position | Season(s) |
|---|---|---|
| League One | Winner | 2022/23 |
| OFC Nations Cup | Winner | 2024 |
What these figures reveal is a player who has achieved consistent progression through the ranks of New Zealand and English football. Waine has accumulated over 165 senior club appearances, scoring 24+ goals and providing 7+ assists. His international record is exceptional—30 caps, 9 goals, and an OFC Nations Cup title. His goalscoring at international level reflects his ability to perform for his country even when club opportunities were limited. His four-goal haul at the 2024 OFC Nations Cup demonstrated his capacity to deliver on the biggest continental stage. His transfer from Wellington Phoenix to Plymouth Argyle and his subsequent move to Port Vale reflects his determination to build a career in the English Football League.
The Present Tense
Ben Waine is 25 years old and at a crucial stage in his career. He is a key player for Port Vale, an OFC Nations Cup winner, and a World Cup squad member.
The Port Vale Story
Waine joined Port Vale in July 2025 on a contract until 2027. In the 2025-26 season, he made 27 league appearances, scoring three goals and providing one assist. He also featured prominently in cup competitions, scoring two goals in the FA Cup and two goals in the EFL Trophy. His eight goals across all competitions earned him a place in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
The World Cup Campaign
Waine was named in Darren Bazeley’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made one appearance in the tournament, coming on as a substitute against Belgium on June 27, 2026, where he played just three minutes. He was an unused substitute for New Zealand’s matches against Iran and Egypt. New Zealand’s World Cup campaign ended in the group stage.
International Record
Waine has 30 caps for New Zealand and has scored 9 international goals. He was instrumental in New Zealand’s OFC Nations Cup triumph in 2024, scoring four goals in the tournament. He has represented New Zealand at multiple age levels, including the U-20 World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Waine is defined by his perseverance and his commitment to representing New Zealand. Despite struggling to make an impact at Plymouth Argyle, where he was urged to move on by fan pundits, he continued to perform for his country.
A Plymouth fan pundit noted: “Although he’s shown recently that he has a very, very good goal scoring record at international level… he has struggled to make an impact in league football… Many fans did criticise him during the season, as showing a lack of confidence in front of goal, and a lack of strength as well. However, I’m a firm believer that there is still a very, very good striker under the skin, and I believe that he just needs a big confidence boost.”
His release from Plymouth Argyle in May 2025 was a setback, but he quickly found a new home at Port Vale and earned a place in the World Cup squad. His journey from being released to making a World Cup squad is a testament to his resilience and determination.
Quotes
Ben Waine, speaking at the U-20 World Cup (2019):
“I’m just looking to make the most out of it. I might be one of the youngest players here but I’m definitely not going to let that stop me from trying to push through and earn a starting spot. I want to make a difference to the team and score goals – that’s my main aim.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Darren Bazeley, New Zealand head coach:
Bazeley selected Waine for the 2026 World Cup squad, valuing his goalscoring record at international level and his experience in the English Football League.
Plymouth Argyle:
The club released Waine in May 2025 after 48 appearances and seven goals across all competitions.
Where Next?
Ben Waine is 25 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He is under contract with Port Vale until 2027 and has established himself as a key player for the club.
For New Zealand, he represents the present and the future of the attack. With 30 caps and 9 goals already, and a World Cup campaign under his belt, he is well-positioned to become a key figure for the All Whites in the coming years. His goalscoring record at international level—particularly his four goals at the 2024 OFC Nations Cup—demonstrates his ability to deliver for his country.
For Port Vale, he is a player of considerable potential. His eight goals across all competitions in the 2025-26 season demonstrate his ability to contribute at League One level, and his contract until 2027 gives him the stability to develop further.
From Wellington to the World Cup, Ben Waine’s journey is a story of perseverance, resilience, and the fulfilment of a childhood dream. The boy who scored his first professional goal at 18 and became the youngest goalscorer in Wellington Phoenix history went on to represent his country on the world’s biggest stage. His career is a testament to the power of hard work, self-belief, and the importance of international football in developing a player’s confidence and identity.
