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New Zealand women's national football team

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Neuseeland
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Football Ferns[1]
AssociationNew Zealand Football
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachJitka Klimková
CaptainAli Riley
Most capsRia Percival (166)
Top scorerAmber Hearn (54)
FIFA codeNZL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 28 Steady (14 June 2024)[2]
Highest16 (December 2013, July 2015 – March 2016)
Lowest30 (December 2023)
First international
 Neuseeland 2–0 Hongkong 
(Hongkong; 25 August 1975)
Biggest win
 Neuseeland 21–0 Samoa 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 9 October 1998)
Biggest defeat
 North Korea 11–0 Neuseeland 
(Brisbane, Australia; 24 February 2004)
World Cup
Appearances6 (first in 1991)
Best resultGroup stage (1991, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
Olympic Games
Appearances4 (first in 2008)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2012)
OFC Women's Nations Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1983)
Best resultChampions (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018)

The New Zealand women's national football team (recognised as Aotearoa New Zealand by FIFA)[3] is governed by New Zealand Football (NZF). They are nicknamed the Football Ferns.

The New Zealand national team has taken part in the FIFA Women's World Cup six times, making their debut in 1991.[4] New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 World Cup alongside Australia.[5] They have failed to go past the group stage in all occasions.

History[edit]

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.[6] 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 Cup[edit]

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 tournament.[7]

Team image[edit]

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.[8]

FIFA world rankings[edit]

As of 14 July 2021[9]

  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 Increase 0 22 Decrease 0

Results and fixtures[edit]

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.[10][11]

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2023[edit]

10 July Friendly Neuseeland  2–0  Vietnam Napier, New Zealand
17:30 NZT
  • Bott 17'
  • Hand 44'
Bericht Stadium: McLean Park
Attendance: 6,215
Referee: Rebecca Durcau (Australia)
14 July Friendly Neuseeland  0–1  Italien Auckland, New Zealand
19:00 Bericht Stadium: Keith Hay Park
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
20 July FIFA WC Group Neuseeland  1–0  Norwegen Auckland, New Zealand
19:00 NZT Bericht Stadium: Eden Park
Attendance: 42,137
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
25 July FIFA WC Group Neuseeland  0–1  Philippinen Wellington, New Zealand
17:30 NZT Bericht Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
Attendance: 32,357
Referee: Katia García (Mexico)
30 July FIFA WC Group Schweiz  0–0  Neuseeland Dunedin, New Zealand
19:00 NZT Bericht Stadium: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: 25,947
Referee: Tori Penso (United States)
23 September Friendly Chile  3–0  Neuseeland Santiago, Chile
19:00 UTC−3
Bericht Stadium: Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida
Attendance: 5,341[12]
Referee: Nadia Fuques (Uruguay)
26 September Friendly Chile  2–1  Neuseeland Santiago, Chile
11:00 UTC−3
Bericht
Stadium: Quilín Complex
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
2 December Friendly Kolumbien  0–0  Neuseeland Bogotá, Colombia
16:00 UTC−5 Bericht Stadium: Estadio El Campin
Referee: Angelina Rodas (Paraguay)
5 December Friendly Kolumbien  1–0  Neuseeland Bogotá, Colombia
15:00 UTC−5
Bericht Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano de Techo
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
Referee: Zulma Quiñónez (Paraguay)

2024[edit]

7 February OFC Olympic Qualifying Neuseeland  3–0  Tonga Apia, Samoa
13:00 UTC+13
Bericht Stadium: FFS Football Stadium (Field 1)
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)
10 February OFC Olympic Qualifying Neuseeland  6–0  Samoa Apia, Samoa
17:00 UTC+13
Bericht Stadium: FFS Football Stadium (Field 1)
Referee: David Yareboinen (Papua New Guinea)
13 February OFC Olympic Qualifying Vanuatu  0–5  Neuseeland Apia, Samoa
16:00 UTC+13 Bericht
Stadium: FFS Football Stadium (Field 2)
Referee: Kavitesh Behari (Fiji)
16 February OFC Olympic Qualifying Neuseeland  7–1  Fidschi Apia, Samoa
17:00
Bericht
Stadium: FFS Football Stadium (Field 1)
Referee: David Yareboinen (Papua New Guinea)
19 February OFC Olympic Qualifying Salomonen  1–11  Neuseeland Apia, Samoa
17:00
Bericht
Stadium: FFS Football Stadium (Field 1)
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
6 April Friendly Neuseeland  4–0  Thailand Christchurch, New Zealand
15:00 UTC+13
Bericht Stadium: Rugby League Park
Attendance: 6,031
Referee: Casey Reibelt (Australia)
9 April Friendly Neuseeland  0–0  Thailand Christchurch, New Zealand
19:00 UTC+12 Bericht Stadium: Rugby League Park
Attendance: 3,503
Referee: Rebecca Durcau (Australia)

Coaching staff[edit]

Current coaching staff[edit]

Position Name
Technical director Neuseeland Andrew Boyens
Head coach Tschechische Republik Jitka Klimková[13]
Assistant coach Vereinigte Staaten Tracey Leone
England Natalie Lawrence
Neuseeland Michael Mayne
Goalkeeping coach Vacant
Performance manager Vacant
Team manager Vacant
Sports scientist Vacant
Doctor Vacant
Physiotherapist Vacant
Vacant

Manager history[edit]

[14]

Players[edit]

Current squad[edit]

  • The following 24 players were named to the squad for two friendly games against Japan on 31 May and 3 June 2024.[37]

Caps and goals are current as of 19 February 2024 after the match against  Salomonen.[38]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Victoria Esson (1991-03-06) 6 March 1991 (age 33) 22 0 Scotland Rangers
1GK Anna Leat (2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 (age 23) 15 0 England Aston Villa
1GK Murphy Sheaff (2003-09-12) 12 September 2003 (age 20) 0 0 Vereinigte Staaten Jacksonville Dolphins

2DF Mackenzie Barry (2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 (age 23) 14 0 Neuseeland Wellington Phoenix
2DF CJ Bott (1995-04-22) 22 April 1995 (age 29) 42 3 England Leicester City
2DF Katie Bowen (1994-04-15) 15 April 1994 (age 30) 105 4 Italien Inter Milan
2DF Claudia Bunge (1999-09-21) 21 September 1999 (age 24) 28 0 Dänemark HB Køge
2DF Michaela Foster (1999-01-09) 9 January 1999 (age 25) 15 1 Neuseeland Wellington Phoenix
2DF Ally Green (1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 (age 25) 11 2 Dänemark AGF
2DF Meikayla Moore (1996-06-04) 4 June 1996 (age 28) 63 4 Scotland Glasgow City
2DF Grace Neville (2000-04-09) 9 April 2000 (age 24) 8 0 England London City Lionesses
2DF Ali Riley (1987-10-30) 30 October 1987 (age 36) 159 2 Vereinigte Staaten Angel City
2DF Rebekah Stott (1993-06-17) 17 June 1993 (age 31) 100 4 Australien Melbourne City
2DF Kate Taylor (2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 (age 20) 15 1 Neuseeland Wellington Phoenix

3MF Daisy Cleverley (1997-04-30) 30 April 1997 (age 27) 36 2 Dänemark HB Køge
3MF Macey Fraser (2002-07-11) 11 July 2002 (age 21) 3 2 Vereinigte Staaten Utah Royals
3MF Grace Jale (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 (age 25) 27 9 Australien Perth Glory
3MF Katie Kitching (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 25) 6 2 England Sunderland
3MF Malia Steinmetz (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 (age 25) 27 0 Dänemark Nordsjælland

4FW Milly Clegg (2005-11-01) 1 November 2005 (age 18) 4 0 Vereinigte Staaten Racing Louisville
4FW Jacqui Hand (1999-02-19) 19 February 1999 (age 25) 23 7 England Lewes
4FW Gabi Rennie (2001-07-07) 7 July 2001 (age 22) 31 2 Finnland Åland United
4FW Indiah-Paige Riley (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 (age 22) 21 6 Niederlande PSV
4FW Hannah Wilkinson (1992-05-28) 28 May 1992 (age 32) 122 31 Australien Melbourne City

Recent call-ups[edit]

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) 27 January 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Neuseeland Wellington Phoenix v.  Thailand, 9 April 2024
GK Erin Nayler (1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 (age 32) 84 0 Deutschland Bayern Munich 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

DF Elizabeth Anton (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 (age 25) 20 0 Australien Perth Glory 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

MF Annalie Longo (1991-07-01) 1 July 1991 (age 33) 133 15 Neuseeland Wellington Phoenix 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying TournamentINJ
MF Ria Percival (1989-12-07) 7 December 1989 (age 34) 166 15 England Crystal Palace 2023 FIFA Women's World CupRET
MF Olivia Chance (1993-10-05) 5 October 1993 (age 30) 47 2 Scotland Celtic 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
MF Betsy Hassett (1990-08-04) 4 August 1990 (age 33) 157 16 Island Stjarnan 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

FW Ruby Nathan (2005-10-11) 11 October 2005 (age 18) 5 1 Australien Canberra United v.  Thailand, 9 April 2024
FW Paige Satchell (1998-04-13) 13 April 1998 (age 26) 48 2 England London City Lionesses v.  Thailand, 9 April 2024
FW Hannah Blake (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 (age 24) 6 0 Australien Adelaide United v.  Kolumbien, 5 December 2023
FW Grace Wisnewski (2002-06-28) 28 June 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Neuseeland Wellington Phoenix v.  Chile, 26 September 2023
FW Ava Collins (2002-04-18) 18 April 2002 (age 22) 16 0 Vereinigte Staaten St. John's Red Storm 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

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.

Captains[edit]

[39]

Current New Zealand co-captain

Records[edit]

Bold players are still active.

Statistics as of 19 February 2024.[39]
Ria Percival is the most capped player
Amber Hearn is the all-time top scorer

Most capped players[edit]

# Player Years Caps Goals
1 Ria Percival 2006– 166 15
2 Ali Riley 2007– 159 2
3 Betsy Hassett 2008– 157 16
4 Abby Erceg 2006–2022 146 6
5 Annalie Longo 2006– 133 15
6 Amber Hearn 2004–2018 125 54
7 Katie Duncan 2006–2019 124 1
8 Hannah Wilkinson 2010– 122 31
9 Rosie White 2009–2021 111 24
10 Katie Bowen 2011– 105 4

Top goalscorers[edit]

# 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– 31 122
5 Rosie White 2009–2021 24 111
6 Maureen Jacobson 1979–1996 17 53
Wendi Henderson 1987–2007 17 64
8 Betsy Hassett 2008– 16 157
9 Pernille Andersen 1998 15 7
Annalie Longo 2006– 15 133
Ria Percival 2006– 15 166

Honours[edit]

Continental[edit]

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

Competitive record[edit]

FIFA Women's World Cup[edit]

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  Schweden Did not qualify 2nd 4 3 0 1 10 2
1999  Vereinigte Staaten 2nd 4 3 0 1 41 3
2003  Vereinigte Staaten 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  Deutschland 12th 3 0 1 2 4 6 Squad Qualified 5 5 0 0 50 0
2015  Kanada 19th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad Qualified 3 3 0 0 30 0
2019  Frankreich 20th 3 0 0 3 1 5 Squad Qualified 5 5 0 0 43 0
2023  Australien
 Neuseeland
20th 3 1 1 1 1 1 Squad Qualified as co-hosts
2027  Brasilien To be determined To be determined
Total Group stage 6/10 18 1 4 13 9 35 32 28 0 4 252 9

Olympic Games[edit]

Summer Olympics record
Year Host Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA GD Squad
1996  Vereinigte Staaten Did not qualify
2000  Australien
2004  Griechenland Did not enter
2008  China Group stage 10th 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 Squad
2012  Vereinigtes Königreich Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 0 3 3 5 −2 Squad
2016  Brasilien Group stage 9th 3 1 0 2 1 5 −4 Squad
2020  Japan Group stage 12th 3 0 0 3 2 10 −8 Squad
2024  Frankreich Qualified
Total Quarter-finals 5/8 13 2 1 10 8 27 −19

OFC Women's Nations Cup[edit]

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

AFC Women's Asian Cup[edit]

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

Algarve Cup[edit]

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".[40]

Portugal 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 Cup[edit]

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

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

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Soccer women step out with new name – Football Ferns". Stuff.co.nz. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Aotearoa New Zealand". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  4. ^ "1975 ASIAN CUP". New Zealand Football on NZfootball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2 September 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  5. ^ Diamond, Drew (12 November 2023). "World Cup legacy continues to take effect in Aotearoa-New Zealand". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ^ "1975". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  7. ^ "New Zealand makes history by being ousted in group stage, as Group A is settled". Fox Sports. 31 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Nike unveils Football Ferns FIFA World Cup team kits and innovative period wear". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  9. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – New Zealand – Women's". FIFA. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  10. ^ https://int.soccerway.com/teams/new-zealand/new-zealand/5980/matches/
  11. ^ https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/neuseeland-frauen-team/21/
  12. ^ "Chile 3–0 New Zealand". ESPN. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Ferns coach to take side through to 2023 Women's World Cup revealed". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Coaching Records". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Page 6. Women's international football". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2024. The first head coach of the national women's team was Wellington-based Dave Farrington, who held the role from 1975 to 1979.
  16. ^ "Fan discovers grandad among locker room legends". FIFA Museum. FIFA. 9 September 2016. Armstrong would also later take the coaching reins of the New Zealand women' side in 1980.
  17. ^ a b Smith, Tony (25 May 2023). "From 70s restart to Fifa Women's World Cup hosting - NZ football's remarkable revival". Stuff. Roy Cox - rated by women's football historian Jeremy Ruane as "the godfather" of the women's game - had a coaching wins ratio of 56% from 1983 to 1987 - and Dave Boardman (1988-94) 55 %.
  18. ^ Riddle, Charles (18 August 2017). "Obituary: Waikato women's football pioneer ahead of his time". Stuff.
  19. ^ Wilson, Sam (23 June 2023). "Football Ferns mourn former player and coach Nora Watkins". Stuff. She later went on to have a hugely successful coaching career at domestic level before taking charge of the national side for a two-match series against Australia in March 1995 – the first woman to hold that position.
  20. ^ Ruane, Jeremy. "Michele Cox – Quite Simply, The Best". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 3 January 2024. Thus four years of frustration ensued, until the appointment in 1995 of a new national coach, Maurice Tillotson.
  21. ^ Maddaford, Terry. "Soccer: Fallon and the Rufers tipped as coaches for Kings". The New Zealand Herald.
  22. ^ Eriksen, Alanah (6 May 2009). "Ex-All White upset by murder story". The New Zealand Herald.
  23. ^ "Ferns coach to take side through to 2023 Women's World Cup revealed". New Zealand Football. 1 September 2021. former captain Wendi Henderson jointly held the role of coach with fellow former international Ali Grant in October 2004
  24. ^ Maddaford, Terry (26 April 2005). "Soccer: New coach draws side from far and wide". The New Zealand Herald.
  25. ^ Smith, Tony (2 April 2022). "How Māori wisdom helped football coach John Herdman on the road to World Cup glory". Stuff. Aged 31, he took over the Football Ferns coaching for two matches against China in 2006.
  26. ^ Brown, Michael (9 December 2006). "Soccer: Allan Jones' last crusade". The New Zealand Herald.
  27. ^ Maddaford, Terry (1 March 2007). "Soccer: Women's coach quits". The New Zealand Herald.
  28. ^ Runae\f's, Jeremy. "Herdman Embraces "A Massive Responsibility"".
  29. ^ "Herdman finishing as Football Ferns coach". Stuff. 2 September 2011.
  30. ^ "New Football Ferns coach appointed". Radio New Zealand. 14 September 2011.
  31. ^ Voerman, Andrew (2 November 2017). "Departing Football Ferns coach Tony Readings says time right for him to go". Stuff.
  32. ^ "Heraf named as new Ferns Coach". New Zealand Football. 20 December 2017.
  33. ^ "New Zealand women's football coach resigns amid alleged 'toxic culture'". The Guardian. 31 July 2018.
  34. ^ "Sermanni named as Ferns Head Coach". New Zealand Football. 26 October 2018.
  35. ^ "Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni steps down". 1116 SEN. 10 June 2021.
  36. ^ Voerman, Andrew (1 September 2021). "Former age-group coach Jitka Klimková to take charge of Football Ferns until 2027". Stuff.
  37. ^ "Ford Football Ferns Squad Named for Two-Match Series Against Japan". New Zealand Football. 21 May 2024.
  38. ^ "Caps 'n' Goals". ultimatenzsoccer.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Roll of Honour". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  40. ^ "Women's game thriving in the Algarve". FIFA. 9 March 2011. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.

External links[edit]

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