The All Whites, one of the lowest ranked sides in football's biggest competition and with no big name players, ended the group stage unbeaten, after holding more accomplished teams, including world champions Italy, to draws.
"I think I need to probably pinch myself... we've finished in the top 24 in the world," coach Ricki Herbert said after the final Group F match against Paraguay saw New Zealand finish third in the group on 3 points after three draws.
Most experts saw the side that has only one player from a major football league - captain Ryan Nelsen plays for England's Blackburn Rovers - as the whipping boys of the group.
"I think when you look at the team, 85 percent of it can go on to the 2014 programme and there are not a lot of sides that are in that position," he said.
"The future looks extremely bright for this team."
A survey by Sport and Recreation New Zealand two years ago showed that only 5.5 percent of New Zealanders over 16 years of old had played football at least once in the previous year. The country's total population is about 4.3 million people.
The coach, who played in New Zealand's only other World Cup in 1982 that ended in three heavy defeats, said the team raised their game and urged the world to take notice.
"I think right across the board players have really grown in stature. Everyone has played well and I can't find anyone who has not contributed at the highest level."
