New Zealand are out. So who should Kiwis support at the World Cup now?

So New Zealand are out of the FIFA World Cup. It was an entertaining ride, albeit a short one, but the All Whites at least gave a good account of themselves, until that humbling defeat at the hands of Belgium.

But there are still 32 teams, 32 games and 20 days to go until the 23rd men's world champions are crowned.

So, with Darren Bazeley's boys packing their bags and heading home, who should you be backing for the rest of the tournament?

Here are your options…

Australia

The obvious choice. Our rivals from across the ditch are into the last 32, thanks largely to a superb opening win over Türkiye.

They also have former Wellington Phoenix midfielder Cammy Devlin in their squad, while both the Phoenix and Auckland FC have shared dressing rooms with plenty of Socceroos through the A-League.

It hasn't always been a loving sporting relationship, but with neighbours hard to come by in this part of the world, backing Tony Popovic's side makes plenty of sense.

England

Look to your left. Now look to your right. Chances are, you've just spotted someone from England.

They're everywhere. Around 208,000 English-born people call New Zealand home, the country's largest overseas-born community.

It's also been 60 years since England's men won a major trophy, and with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the charge, they have two of the world's best players.

So dust off your bucket hat, perfect your rendition of Wonderwall and prepare to celebrate with your colleague, spouse or neighbour because... It's coming home.

USA, Mexico or Canada

Why not get behind one of our generous hosts?

Fellow Commonwealth nation Canada has impressed throughout the group stage and have become the first team to move into the top 16 after a last-minute goal against South Africa.

Mexico finished with a perfect record and has brought some of the tournament's best atmosphere.

As for the United States? Maybe not. Haven't they won enough in other sports already? Surely they can leave "soccer" to everyone else.

France

Or you could simply back the team that looks most likely to lift the trophy.

Les Bleus boast an attack unlike any other, with Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé in imperious form and a supporting cast that would walk into almost any other side.

They look every bit the favourites, so now might be the perfect time to jump on the bandwagon.

Cabo Verde

Looking for an underdog? Look no further than the tiny 10-island nation that has stunned the football world by reaching the knockout stage.

With a population roughly equivalent to Christchurch and Hamilton combined, the African nation's success has been fuelled largely by its Portuguese and Dutch diaspora.

The catch? A last-32 clash with Argentina and the ageless genius of Lionel Messi.

Japan

The Samurai Blue seem to be everyone's second-favourite team at this World Cup.

They play an exciting, high-octane brand of football and have a likeability few other nations can match.

Blending underdog appeal with plucky outsider energy, our Pacific neighbours to the north are a good fit.

And the rest …?

Want to back another favourite? Argentina or Portugal are good shouts, with both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo hoping to add another gong to their trophy cabinets.

Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain probably fall into the same category.

Then there are the dark horses. The likes of Morocco, Norway, Croatia, Belgium, Ecuador and Colombia, who, on their day, could beat anyone.

Seeing the trophy lifted by a new continent would be great. As well as Cabo Verde and Morocco, Africa has Ghana, Algeria, Egypt, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Senegal and South Africa still in the mix.

Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Bosnia, and Paraguay would all be first-time winners.