Joe Bell

Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Bell moved to Wellington to join the Wellington Phoenix Academy under the guidance of Jess Ibrom where he started playing for the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the New Zealand Football Championship for the 2014–15 season, playing 12 games with four starts. He played for the reserves for another two seasons, appearing 14 times in the 2015–16 season with 10 starts and eight times with six starts in the 2016–17 season. With the New Zealand football championship played over the summer, Bell played for Wellington United in the Central League during the winter.

Virginia Cavaliers

Bell joined the Virginia Cavaliers who play in the NCAA Division I in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Bell started 55 straight games since joining the university. He scored six goals and had ten assists across three seasons, while also spending time with amateur club Charlottesville Alliance during the 2018 NPSL season. Following his successful FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign, Bell drew the interest of several European sides, trialing with Eliteserien side Viking and eventually being offered a contract. However, with the University of Virginia offering him a full scholarship at year's end, Bell decided to delay going professional to get his degree. Bell had a successful 2019 season with the Cavaliers as co-captain of the team which won the ACC Coastal Division and won the ACC men's tournament for the first time since 2009. The team ended the season winning 21…

U17

Bell was selected for the New Zealand U17 national team that played in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. He played in two of the group games, a 0–0 draw with Syria and a 2–1 win over Paraguay. As well as their loss to Brazil in the Round of 16 with a stoppage-time penalty seeing them eliminated from the competition.

U20

Bell has played for and captained the New Zealand U20 national team. Playing in the 2018 OFC U-19 Championship where he was the tournament MVP and they qualified for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland. He has also played and captained the team at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.

Senior

Bell made his team debut for the New Zealand senior national team in a friendly against Ireland, starting in a 3–1 loss. On 25 June 2021, Bell was called up to the New Zealand squad for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics. On 14 May 2026, Bell was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Club

As of match played 25 April 2026

International

As of match played 26 June 2026

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

Bell was born in Bristol, England but holds dual British and New Zealand citizenship. He was raised in Wānaka and Christchurch, attending Medbury School and Christ's College, Christchurch before moving aged 15 to Wellington to attend Scots College and play for the Phoenix. He started playing football as an eight-year-old for Ferrymead Bays.