Liberato Cacace

Island Bay

As a youth, Cacace played for Island Bay United and was also a representative player of Capital Football for two years in their 1999 squad. He was chosen by former Wellington Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert to be part of his junior elite academy. Cacace also played for his school team at St Patrick's College in Wellington, alongside South Sudan international Manyumow Achol. Cacace helped his college team win the Wellington Premier Youth football league, scoring in the 2–1 final against Hutt International Boys' School.

Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Cacace started playing for the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the New Zealand Football Championship in the 2016–17 season, making eight appearances, including four starts. During the winter season, Cacace played with Wellington Phoenix feeder club Wellington United in the local Central League.

Wellington Phoenix

On 2 February 2018, Cacace made his debut for the senior side, coming on as a substitute in a 4–0 defeat against Sydney FC in the A-League. Following the end of the 2017–18 A-League season, and having made seven appearances for the club, Cacace signed a three-year professional contract with Wellington Phoenix. In the 2018–19 season, following the departure of Scott Galloway and injury to Tom Doyle, Cacace became the first-choice left-back under new manager Marko Rudan, one month after his 18th birthday. Cacace scored his maiden A-League goal against Central Coast Mariners in…

Youth

Cacace was part of the New Zealand U17 team that won the 2017 OFC U-17 Championship, where he scored one goal. This meant that the team qualified for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. Cacace then played at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, making his World Cup debut in the 1–1 draw with Turkey U17, before starting again in a 4–2 loss to Paraguay U17 and a 3–1 loss to Mali U17. Cacace scored the opening goal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in New Zealand's 3–2 loss to Honduras.

Senior

Cacace was selected to join the New Zealand national team squad in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup held in India. He made his All Whites debut in Mumbai on 5 June 2018 against Chinese Taipei, in a 1–0 victory. On 25 June 2021, Cacace was called up to the New Zealand squad for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics. Cacace scored against Tahiti in a 1–0 win in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In the 2024 OFC Nations Cup, Cacace was named as captain where he guided New Zealand to lift the trophy on 30 June 2024.

Club

As of match played 8 February 2026

International

As of matches played 26 June 2026

Scores and results list New Zealand's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Cacace goal.

Cacace was born in Wellington to an Italian father and a New Zealand mother of Italian descent. His father Antonio arrived in the country in 1992 from Massa Lubrense, a small commune in Naples, and operates La Bella Italia, an Italian restaurant located in Petone. He attended St Patrick's College. Cacace supports his father's hometown team, Napoli.