Every All White will have a target on his back today but Glen Moss is the man who will be copping the most.
Former All Whites captain Danny Hay would like to see Ricki Herbert's men flood the midfield today to cut down Mexico's attacking options.
Win, lose or draw, today's kick-around at Estadio Azteca will be the most intense football experience of the All Whites' lives.
In the case of a sporting miracle today, where the All Whites achieve a draw or even win, special plans have be put in place to ensure the team's safety for the rest of their stay in Mexico City.
The torture is over for Mexico's football fans, confident new coach Miguel Herrera says.
You have to fear for the All Whites. Not because they might lose on Thursday, but because they might not. Do they have an evacuation plan?
The All Whites' starting XI against Mexico is set to include two players who don't have clubs.
Marco Rojas required heavy police protection to break through the defences of a large press pack as the All Whites arrived in Mexico City tonight.
Jeremy Christie knows it is far from ideal.
OPINION: The pressure is on All Whites coach Ricki Herbert as he faces the most crucial selection conundrum of his career.
Simon Elliott believes Mexico's massive home crowd could turn into the All Whites' trump card tomorrow.
The Azteca Stadium, where the All Whites face Mexico tomorrow, is an arena every player wants to play in but it is also a place of physical and mental suffering.
The Football Ferns have surprised everyone this year but themselves.
As the All Whites enter Mexico, there are serious security concerns over what could unfold over the next 72 hours, with some players privately questioning if New Zealand Football has done enough to ensure their safety.
The country’s prolific national striker Benjamin Totori has been shortlisted as one of the nominees for the OFC Player of the year for 2012.
Any of the top three teams in New Zealand football's national league would be competitive with professional clubs in the bottom half of the A-League table.
As football's popularity among junior players in New Zealand continues to rise, parents are more likely than ever to hear the words 'I want to be a professional footballer'.
Matt Ridenton was probably much like many other youngsters growing up in that he dabbled in plenty of different sports.
New Zealand can once again take a place at soccer's grandest table if they get past Mexico in their qualifying playoff. Victory will mean a third appearance in the finals, and the second in back-to-back tournaments.
The All Whites could take the field on Thursday with a radically reshaped defensive unit.
Bienvenidos 'El Marcito'. His recent lack of match play means he may not even take the field on Thursday but Marco Rojas is already 'world famous' in Mexico.
Yellow is everywhere they look, but the All Whites are doing their best to ignore the perilous card situation.
The All Whites have been advised not to leave their team hotel in Mexico City because of security concerns ahead of Thursday's World Cup playoff.
His home is the football pitch, not in front of the camera, but Marco Rojas was nonetheless a Mexican media hit yesterday.
Been there, done that: Rory Fallon isn't remotely afraid about what awaits his All Whites in Thursday's World Cup playoff against Mexico at Estadio Azteca.
It's a sleepy Sunday morning in Los Angeles but the All Whites' Mexican mission is underway.
He "retired" more than five years ago but Ivan Vicelich will be a key figure for the All Whites on Thursday.
It's hard to imagine - but the All Whites could take the field without Shane Smeltz and Marco Rojas on Thursday in Mexico City.
WaiBop United got exactly what they deserved from their Premiership opener - a surprise victory over Canterbury United.
If this is the calm, then the storm will be fierce when the All Whites lob into Mexico City as public enemy No 1 tomorrow.
He grew up dreaming of playing for Australia, but Andrew Durante understands his increasing importance to New Zealand's hopes of qualifying for back-to-back World Cups.
Both Auckland clubs began the ASB Premiership in fine fashion today but there was hope for those teams trying to disrupt the duopoly.
Team Wellington began their national football premiership campaign with a 4-1 defeat to perennial powerhouses Auckland City at David Farrington Park yesterday.
All Whites goal machine Shane Smeltz should be "pretty close" to match fit for Thursday's World Cup playoff match in Mexico City, according to his A-League coach.
The Wellington Phoenix have now gone five games without a win after a 1-1 draw with Perth Glory last night - but their All Whites emerged unscathed.