The All Whites are just 90 minutes away from the World Cup finals in South Africa next year and a win over Bahrain in Wellington next month will book their first spot at the event since 1982.

Pignata is delighted Phoenix staff are playing such a large part in the push for qualification and is just as excited about the potential benefits for his own club and New Zealand football as a whole.

"It was great to see the All Whites come away with a draw from the first leg in Bahrain and we all hope they can see it through here in New Zealand," Pignata told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"We've welcomed the five players back who were involved in that game. They'll be buzzing and hopefully that excitement rubs off on everyone in the squad."

Westpac Stadium is predicted to be full to bursting for the Bahrain tie on November 14. A chunk of that support will be existing Phoenix fans while others will be new to the sport and hopefully hungry for a regular fix.

"I'm not sure people understand how big this could be for football in New Zealand and how big the game could grow," said Pignata.

"Hopefully the spin off would be a very positive one for Wellington Phoenix and that those fans who have realised how great football is, will want more and find that enjoyment through our club as well as the All Whites."

Pignata also admitted that New Zealand gracing the World Cup stage would do no harm in terms of player recruitment.

He added: "Some much bigger footballing countries have failed to qualify for South Africa and yet there would be New Zealand. You would hope that would lead people to take notice."