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New Zealand women's national football team

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The New Zealand women's national football team, nicknamed the Football Ferns, is governed by New Zealand Football (NZF). The New Zealand national team qualified for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, held in China in September 2007, sending the team to their first World Cup in 16 years, and the second since their 1975 debut in international competition.[3] New Zealand will co-host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup alongside Australia, the Football Ferns automatically qualified as co-host.

New Zealand
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Football Ferns[1]
AssociationNew Zealand Football
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachJitka Klimková
CaptainAli Riley
Most capsRia Percival (163)
Top scorerAmber Hearn (54)
FIFA codeNZL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 26 Decrease 1 (9 June 2023)[2]
Highest16 (December 2013, July 2015 – March 2016)
Lowest26 (June 2023)
First international
 New Zealand 2–0 Hong Kong 
(Hong Kong; 25 August 1975)
Biggest win
 New Zealand 21–0 Samoa 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 9 October 1998)
Biggest defeat
 North Korea 11–0 New Zealand 
(Brisbane, Australia; 24 February 2004)
World Cup
Appearances6 (first in 1991)
Best resultGroup stage (1991, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
OFC Women's Nations Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1983)
Best resultChampions (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Summer Olympics
Appearances4 (first in 2008)
Best result8th (2012)

HistoryEdit

The New Zealand Women's Soccer Association was founded in 1975. By invitation, the team took part in the Asian Women's Championship in 1975 and won the championship.[4] They have since then played in the Oceanic Championship.

As Australia left the OFC, New Zealand had no serious and competitive rivals in Oceania. This made New Zealand's qualification to the World Cup and Olympics easier having contested every edition of both tournaments since 2007.

2023 FIFA Women's World CupEdit

New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup along with Australia after being awarded it on 25 June 2020 as the favourites over other bidder Colombia. The Football Ferns automatically qualified as co-host. Despite winning their opening match against Norway, they suffered a shocking loss to debutants Philippines and later drew to Switzerland in their final match, and were eliminated. This was the first time the hosts were eliminated from the group stage. They only managed to score one goal during the tourmnament.[5]

Team imageEdit

The New Zealand women's national football team are also known by their nickname the "Football Ferns".[1] Like their male counterparts, the team has traditionally worn all white kits. For the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Football Ferns switched to an all black first choice kit reminiscent of the New Zealand national rugby union team, as well as the country's national teams in other sports, including rugby league, field hockey, netball, basketball, volleyball, and limited overs cricket. The away kit pairs the traditional white shirts and socks with turquoise shorts.[6]

FIFA world rankingsEdit

As of 14 July 2021[7]

  Worst Ranking    Best Ranking    Worst Mover    Best Mover  

New Zealand's FIFA world rankings
Rank Year Games
Played 		Won Lost Drawn Best Worst
Rank Move Rank Move
22 2021 1 0 1 0 22   0 22   0

Results and fixturesEdit

See also: 2023 in association football, 2023 in sports by month, and FIFA International Match Calendar

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Void or postponed   Fixture

2022Edit

2 September Friendly Mexico   0–1   New Zealand Carson, California, United States
18:00 (UTC-7) Report
  • Bott   84'
 Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Attendance: 0[a]
6 September Friendly New Zealand   2–1   Philippines Fullerton, California, United States
17:00 (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: Titan Stadium
9 October Friendly Japan   2–0   New Zealand Nagano, Japan
14:55 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Nagano U Stadium
Attendance: 2,100
Referee: Yujeong Kim (South Korea)
12 November Friendly New Zealand   0–1   South Korea Christchurch, New Zealand
14:30 UTC+13 Report (KFA)
Stadium: Orangetheory Stadium
15 November Friendly New Zealand   1–1   South Korea Christchurch, New Zealand
18:00 UTC+13 Chance   13' Report (KFA) Ye-eun   57' Stadium: Orangetheory Stadium
Attendance: 3523[9]
Referee: Kate Jacewicz (Australia)

2023Edit

18 January Friendly New Zealand   0–4   United States Wellington, New Zealand
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 12,508
Referee: Kate Jacewicz (Australia)
21 January Friendly New Zealand   0–5   United States Auckland, New Zealand
Report
Stadium: Eden Park
Attendance: 12,721
Referee: Lara Lee (Australia)
17 February Friendly New Zealand   0–5   Portugal Hamilton, New Zealand
19:00 NZT Report
Stadium: Waikato Stadium
Attendance: 3,788[10]
Referee: Emikar Calderas (Venezuela)
20 February Friendly New Zealand   0–2   Argentina Hamilton, New Zealand
19:00 NZT Report
Stadium: Waikato Stadium
Attendance: 3,622[11]
Referee: Lara Lee (Australia)
23 February Friendly New Zealand   0–1   Argentina Auckland, New Zealand
19:00 NZT Report
Stadium: North Harbour Stadium
Attendance: 3,914[12]
Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (Nicaragua)[13]
7 April Friendly New Zealand   1–1   Iceland Antalya, Turkey
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex
11 April Friendly New Zealand   0–3   Nigeria Antalya, Turkey
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex
Referee: Arda Kardeşler (Turkey)
10 July Friendly New Zealand   2–0   Vietnam Napier, New Zealand
17:30 NZT
Report Stadium: McLean Park
Referee: Rebecca Durcau (Australia)
14 July Friendly New Zealand   0–1   Italy Auckland, New Zealand
Report
Stadium: Keith Hay Park
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
20 July FIFA WC Group New Zealand   1–0   Norway Auckland, New Zealand
19:00 NZT
Report Stadium: Eden Park
Attendance: 42,137
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
25 July FIFA WC Group New Zealand   0–1   Philippines Wellington, New Zealand
17:30 NZT Report Sarina Bolden   24' Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
Attendance: 32,357
Referee: Katia García (Mexico)
30 July FIFA WC Group Switzerland   0–0   New Zealand Dunedin, New Zealand
19:00 NZT Report Stadium: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: 25,947
Referee: Tori Penso (United States)
  1. ^ Played behind closed doors.[8]

Coaching staffEdit

See also: Category:New Zealand women's national football team managers

Current coaching staffEdit

Position Name Ref.
Head coach   Jitka Klimková [14]

PlayersEdit

Main article: List of New Zealand women's international footballers
See also: Category:New Zealand women's international footballers

Current squadEdit

The following players were named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023. Additionally, Ava Collins, Meikayla Moore, and Kate Taylor were named as reserve players.[15] The following week, Moore declined to join the squad as a reserve player and Grace Wisnewski was called up as a reserve player instead of her.[16]

  • Caps and goals are current as of 14 July 2023 after match against Italy.[17]
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Erin Nayler (1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 (age 31) 84 0   IFK Norrköping
21 1GK Victoria Esson (1991-03-06) 6 March 1991 (age 32) 16 0   Rangers
23 1GK Anna Leat (2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 (age 22) 10 0   Aston Villa
3 2DF Claudia Bunge (1999-09-21) 21 September 1999 (age 23) 22 0   Melbourne Victory
4 2DF CJ Bott (1995-04-22) 22 April 1995 (age 28) 38 3   Leicester City
5 2DF Michaela Foster (1999-01-09) 9 January 1999 (age 24) 6 0   Wellington Phoenix
7 2DF Ali Riley (captain) (1987-10-30) 30 October 1987 (age 35) 154 2   Angel City
13 2DF Rebekah Stott (1993-06-17) 17 June 1993 (age 30) 90 4   Brighton & Hove Albion
14 2DF Katie Bowen (1994-04-15) 15 April 1994 (age 29) 94 3   Melbourne City
19 2DF Elizabeth Anton (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 (age 24) 19 0   Perth Glory
2 3MF Ria Percival (vice-captain) (1989-12-07) 7 December 1989 (age 33) 163 15   Tottenham Hotspur
6 3MF Malia Steinmetz (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 (age 24) 20 0   Western Sydney Wanderers
8 3MF Daisy Cleverley (1997-04-30) 30 April 1997 (age 26) 31 2   HB Køge
10 3MF Annalie Longo (1991-07-01) 1 July 1991 (age 32) 129 15   Christchurch United
11 3MF Olivia Chance (1993-10-05) 5 October 1993 (age 29) 45 2   Celtic
12 3MF Betsy Hassett (1990-08-04) 4 August 1990 (age 32) 145 13   Stjarnan
9 4FW Gabi Rennie (2001-07-07) 7 July 2001 (age 22) 26 2   Arizona State Sun Devils
15 4FW Paige Satchell (1998-04-13) 13 April 1998 (age 25) 43 2   Wellington Phoenix
16 4FW Jacqui Hand (1999-02-19) 19 February 1999 (age 24) 14 2   Åland United
17 4FW Hannah Wilkinson (1992-05-28) 28 May 1992 (age 31) 115 28   Melbourne City
18 4FW Grace Jale (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 (age 24) 17 2   Canberra United
20 4FW Indiah-Paige Riley (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 (age 21) 9 0   Brisbane Roar
22 4FW Milly Clegg (2005-11-01) 1 November 2005 (age 17) 4 0   Wellington Phoenix

Recent call-upsEdit

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months and remain eligible for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Brianna Edwards (2003-01-27) January 27, 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Bankstown City v.   Nigeria, 11 April 2023
GK Murphy Sheaff (2003-09-12) September 12, 2003 (age 19) 0 0   Jacksonville Dolphins v.   Nigeria, 11 April 2023
GK Lily Alfeld (1995-08-04) 4 August 1995 (age 27) 0 0   Wellington Phoenix v.   United States, 18 January 2023INJ
DF Meikayla Moore (1996-06-04) June 4, 1996 (age 27) 63 4   Glasgow City 2023 FIFA Women's World CupUNV
DF Kate Taylor (2003-10-21) October 21, 2003 (age 19) 8 0   Wellington Phoenix 2023 FIFA Women's World CupPRE
DF Mackenzie Barry (2001-04-11) April 11, 2001 (age 22) 7 0   Wellington Phoenix v.   Nigeria, 11 April 2023
DF Grace Neville (2000-04-09) April 9, 2000 (age 23) 4 0   London City Lionesses v.   Nigeria, 11 April 2023
DF Anna Green (1990-08-20) 20 August 1990 (age 32) 82 8   Sydney FC v.   United States, 21 January 2023
DF Ally Green (1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 (age 24) 4 0   AGF v.   United States, 21 January 2023
DF Ashleigh Ward (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 28) 4 0   Southampton v.   United States, 21 January 2023
DF Rebecca Lake (1999-05-13) 13 May 1999 (age 24) 0 0   Canterbury United Pride v.   United States, 21 January 2023
MF Emma Rolston (1996-11-10) 10 November 1996 (age 26) 15 6   Wellington Phoenix v.   United States, 21 January 2023
MF Jana Radosavljevic (1996-11-04) 4 November 1996 (age 26) 3 0   Arminia Bielefeld v.   United States, 21 January 2023
MF Aniela Jensen (2002-01-22) 22 January 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Pacific Tigers v.   United States, 21 January 2023
MF Ava Collins (2002-04-18) April 18, 2002 (age 21) 11 0   St. John's Red Storm 2023 FIFA Women's World CupPRE
FW Grace Wisnewski (2002-06-28) 28 June 2002 (age 21) 2 0   Wellington Phoenix 2023 FIFA Women's World CupPRE
FW Hannah Blake (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 (age 23) 6 0   Michigan Wolverines v.   United States, 21 January 2023
FW Deven Jackson (1998-04-22) 22 April 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Eastern Suburbs v.   United States, 21 January 2023
FW Tayla O'Brien (1994-07-06) 6 July 1994 (age 29) 1 0   Eastern Suburbs v.   United States, 21 January 2023
FW Alyssa Whinham (2003-10-26) 26 October 2003 (age 19) 0 0   Wellington Phoenix v.   Japan, 9 October 2022
FW Maggie Jenkins (2001-06-14) 14 June 2001 (age 22) 1 0   UCF Knights v.   Philippines, 6 September 2022

Notes:

  • RET Retired from national team.
  • PRE Preliminary squad / standby
  • UNV Made themselves unavailable for selection
  • INJ Withdrew due to an injury.
  • COVID Withdrew due to COVID–19.
  • TOP Train-on player.

CaptainsEdit

[18]

†Current New Zealand co-captain

RecordsEdit

Main article: List of New Zealand women's international footballers
See also: Category:New Zealand women's international footballers

Bold players are still active.

Statistics as of 12 April 2023.[18]
 
Ria Percival is the most capped player
 
Amber Hearn is the all-time top scorer

Most capped playersEdit

# Player Years Caps Goals
1 Ria Percival 2006– 161 15
2 Ali Riley 2007– 152 2
3 Abby Erceg 2006–2022 146 6
4 Betsy Hassett 2008– 143 14
5 Annalie Longo 2006– 127 15
6 Amber Hearn 2004–2018 125 54
7 Katie Duncan 2006–2019 124 1
8 Hannah Wilkinson 2010– 113 28
9 Rosie White 2009–2021 111 24
10 Kirsty Yallop 2004–2017 104 12

Top goalscorersEdit

# Player Years Goals Caps
1 Amber Hearn (list) 2004–2018 54 125
2 Wendy Sharpe 1980–1995 34 51
Sarah Gregorius 2010–2020 34 100
4 Hannah Wilkinson 2010– 28 113
5 Rosie White 2009–2021 24 111
6 Maureen Jacobson 1979–1996 17 53
Wendi Henderson 1987–2007 17 64
8 Pernille Andersen 1998 15 7
Annalie Longo 2006– 15 127
Ria Percival 2006– 15 161

HonoursEdit

ContinentalEdit

  Champions: 1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018
  Runners-up: 1989, 1994, 1998, 2003
  Champions: 1975

Competitive recordEdit

FIFA Women's World CupEdit

Main article: New Zealand at the FIFA Women's World Cup
New Zealand's FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Year Host Round Pos Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
1991   China Group stage 11th 3 0 0 3 1 11 Squad Qualified 4 3 0 1 28 1
1995   Sweden Did not qualify 2nd 4 3 0 1 10 2
1999   United States 2nd 4 3 0 1 41 3
2003   United States 2nd 4 3 0 1 29 2
2007   China Group stage 14th 3 0 0 3 0 9 Squad Qualified 3 3 0 0 21 1
2011   Germany 12th 3 0 1 2 4 6 Squad Qualified 5 5 0 0 50 0
2015   Canada 19th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad Qualified 3 3 0 0 30 0
2019   France 20th 3 0 0 3 1 5 Squad Qualified 5 5 0 0 43 0
2023   Australia
  New Zealand		 Group stage 3 1 1 1 1 1 Squad Qualified as co-hosts
Total Group stage 6/9 18 1 4 13 9 35 32 28 0 4 252 9
FIFA Women's World Cup history
Year Host Round Date Opponent Result Stadium
1991   China Group stage 17 November   Denmark L 0–3 Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou
19 November   Norway L 0–4 Guangdong Provincial Stadium, Guangzhou
21 November   China L 1–4 New Plaza Stadium, Foshan
2007   China Group stage 12 September   Brazil L 0–5 Wuhan Stadium, Wuhan
15 September   Denmark L 0–2
20 September   China L 0–2 Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin
2011   Germany Group stage 27 June   Japan L 1–2 Ruhrstadion, Bochum
1 July   England L 1–2 Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, Dresden
5 July   Mexico D 2–2 Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
2015   Canada Group stage 6 June   Netherlands L 0–1 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
11 June   Canada D 0–0
15 June   China D 2–2 Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg
2019   France Group stage 11 June   Netherlands L 0–1 Stade Océane, Le Havre
15 June   Canada L 0–2 Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
20 June   Cameroon L 1–2 Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
2023   Australia
  New Zealand 		Group stage 20 July   Norway W 1–0 Eden Park, Auckland
25 July   Philippines L 0–1 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
30 July   Switzerland D 0–0 Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Olympic GamesEdit

See also: Football at the Summer Olympics
Summer Olympics record
Year Host Round Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1996   United States Did not qualify
2000   Australia
2004   Greece Did not enter
2008   China Group stage 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 1
2012   United Kingdom Quarter-finals 4 1 0 3 3 5 −2 3
2016   Brazil Group stage 3 1 0 2 1 5 −4 3
2020   Japan Group stage 3 0 0 3 2 10 −8 0
Total Quarter-finals 13 2 1 10 8 27 −19 7

OFC Women's Nations CupEdit

OFC Women's Nations Cup record
Year Host Result Pld W D L GF GA GD
1983   New Caledonia Champions 4 3 1 0 24 3 +21
1986   New Zealand Third place 4 2 0 2 3 3 0
1989   Australia Runners-up 5 4 0 1 10 1 +9
1991   Australia Champions 4 3 0 1 28 1 +27
1994   Papua New Guinea Runners-up 4 3 0 1 10 2 +8
1998   New Zealand Runners-up 4 3 0 1 41 3 +38
2003   Australia Runners-up 4 3 0 1 29 2 +27
2007   Papua New Guinea Champions 3 3 0 0 21 1 +20
2010   New Zealand Champions 5 5 0 0 50 0 +50
2014   Papua New Guinea Champions 3 3 0 0 30 0 +30
2018   New Caledonia Champions 5 5 0 0 43 0 +43
2022   Fiji Did not enter
Total 6 titles 45 37 1 7 289 16 +273

AFC Women's Asian CupEdit

AFC Women's Asian Cup record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
Invitee
  1975 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 11 3
Total 1 title 1/1 4 4 0 0 11 3

Algarve CupEdit

The Algarve Cup is an invitational tournament for national teams in women's association football hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious and longest-running women's international football events and has been nicknamed the "Mini FIFA Women's World Cup".[19]

  Algarve Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD
2016 4th place 4 1 2 1 2 2 0
2020 4th place 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4
Total 2/27 7 1 3 3 4 8 −4

SheBelieves CupEdit

The SheBelieves Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer hosted in the United States.

  SheBelieves Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Coach
2016 Did not enter
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022 4th 3 0 1 2 0 6
Total 1/7 3 0 1 2 0 6

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ a b "Soccer women step out with new name - Football Ferns". Stuff.co.nz. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2023. Cite error: The named reference "Stuff.co.nz" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  3. ^ "1975 ASIAN CUP". New Zealand Football on NZfootball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2 September 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  4. ^ "1975". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  5. ^ "New Zealand makes history by being ousted in group stage, as Group A is settled". Fox Sports. 31 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Nike unveils Football Ferns Fifa World Cup team kits and innovative period wear". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  7. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Associations - New Zealand - Women's". FIFA. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  8. ^ "PREVIEW: Ford Football Ferns vs Mexico". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Liv takes her chance to secure draw for Ferns". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Ferns fall to Portugal". New Zealand Football. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  11. ^ Rollo, Phillip (20 February 2023). "Football Ferns have goal ruled out in 2-0 defeat to Argentina in Hamilton". Stuff. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Attendances rising for women's football games ahead of FIFA World Cup". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  13. ^ "New Zealand–Argentina: Key details and streaming info". FIFA. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Ferns coach to take side through to 2023 Women's World Cup revealed". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Football Ferns squad named for FIFA Women's World Cup". New Zealand Football. 30 June 2023.
  16. ^ Voerman, Andrew (6 July 2023). "FIFA Women's World Cup: Meikayla Moore turns down Football Ferns training invite". Stuff.
  17. ^ "Caps 'n' Goals". ultimatenzsoccer.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Roll of Honour". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Women's game thriving in the Algarve". FIFA. 9 March 2011. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.

External linksEdit

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Inaugural Champions
 OFC Women's Champions
1983 (First title) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by OFC Women's Champions
1991 (Second title) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by OFC Women's Champions
2007 (Third title)
2010 (Fourth title)
2014 (Fifth title)
2018 (Sixth title) 		Succeeded by
Incumbents
Preceded by
Inaugural Champions
 AFC Women's Champions
1975 (First title) 		Succeeded by
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