Francis de Vries also returns to the side for the first time in a year after a knee injury.
Bazeley admitted it was a close call for James McGarry – who had an excellent season with Central Coast Mariners, culminating in their A League grand final win last Saturday – as well as Storm Roux.
“We are at a situation now, which is really positive for New Zealand, we are still leaving out really good players,” said Bazeley. “We are now selecting players and actually having to make some decisions rather than [thinking] what professionals have we got around the world and picking all of them.”
He added that the pair were in the frame for future windows.
Bazeley has also cast the net wide among the goalkeepers, recalling Max Crocombe and Nik Tzanev for the first time since 2018 and 2021 respectively.
There is still uncertainty over who will be given the permanent head coach role – with a process that has dragged on since last November – but Bazeley isn’t thinking too far ahead.
“I was given the interim role for this window and that is what I will concentrate on. All I can do is attack this window and see what happens after that.”
It isn’t an ideal situation – “it is quite unsettling for myself and the family, not knowing what is around the corner” – but he is excited about the challenge of facing Sweden (world No 22) and Qatar (61) in the space of four days.
“These games represent a real test but that is what this team needs right now to build the foundations leading into the qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said Bazeley.
All Whites squad
Joe Bell (13 caps) Brondby FC, Denmark
Michael Boxall (42 caps) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (14 caps) Empoli FC, Italy
Max Crocombe (2 caps) Grimsby Town, England
Francis De Vries (6 caps) Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand
Callan Elliot (2 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Matthew Garbett (14 caps) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Alex Greive (9 caps) St Mirren, Scotland
Eli Just (15 caps) AC Horsens, Denmark
Clayton Lewis (23 caps) Macarthur FC, Australia
Max Mata (3 caps) Sligo Rovers, Ireland
Callum McCowatt (11 caps) FC Helsingor, Denmark
Tim Payne (32 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (11 caps) Sligo Rovers, Ireland
Marco Rojas (44 caps) Colo Colo, Chile
Alex Rufer (8 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Oli Sail (8 caps) Perth Glory, Australia
Tommy Smith (50 caps) Colchester United, England
Marko Stamenic (13 caps) FC Copenhagen, Denmark
Finn Surman* (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Bill Tuiloma (36 caps) Charlotte FC, USA
Nik Tzanev (1 cap) AFC Wimbledon, England
Ben Waine (7 caps) Plymouth Argyle, England
*Debut All Whites squad
Fixtures
All Whites v Sweden: 5am, Saturday, 17 June - Friends Arena, Stockholm
All Whites v Qatar: 4am, Tuesday, 20 June - Generali Arena, Vienna