New Zealand women's national football team
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.
![]() | |||
Nickname(s) | Football Ferns[1] | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | New Zealand Football | ||
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) | ||
Head coach | Jitka Klimková | ||
Captain | Ali Riley | ||
Most caps | Ria Percival (163) | ||
Top scorer | Amber Hearn (54) | ||
FIFA code | NZL | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 26 ![]() | ||
Highest | 16 (December 2013, July 2015 – March 2016) | ||
Lowest | 26 (June – August 2023) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Hong Kong; 25 August 1975) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Auckland, New Zealand; 9 October 1998) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Brisbane, Australia; 24 February 2004) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 6 (first in 1991) | ||
Best result | Group stage (1991, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) | ||
OFC Women's Nations Cup | |||
Appearances | 11 (first in 1983) | ||
Best result | Champions (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018) | ||
Summer Olympics | |||
Appearances | 4 (first in 2008) | ||
Best result | 8th (2012) |
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. They have failed to go past the group stage in all occasions.
History
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.[5] 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
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.[6]
Team image
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.[7]
FIFA world rankings
- As of 14 July 2021[8]
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 | ![]() | 22 | ![]() | ||
Results and fixtures
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
2022
9 October Friendly | Japan ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | Christchurch, New Zealand |
14:30 UTC+13 | Report (KFA) |
|
Stadium: Orangetheory Stadium |
15 November Friendly | New Zealand ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Christchurch, New Zealand |
18:00 UTC+13 | Chance ![]() |
Report (KFA) | Ye-eun ![]() |
Stadium: Orangetheory Stadium Attendance: 3523[9] Referee: Kate Jacewicz (Australia) |
2023
18 January Friendly | New Zealand ![]() | 0–4 | ![]() | Wellington, New Zealand |
Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 12,508 Referee: Kate Jacewicz (Australia) |
21 January Friendly | New Zealand ![]() | 0–5 | ![]() | Auckland, New Zealand |
Report | Stadium: Eden Park Attendance: 12,721 Referee: Lara Lee (Australia) |
17 February Friendly | New Zealand ![]() | 0–5 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | Antalya, Turkey |
16:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex |
11 April Friendly | New Zealand ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() | Antalya, Turkey |
16:00 UTC+3 | Report |
|
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex Referee: Arda Kardeşler (Turkey) |
10 July Friendly | New Zealand ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Napier, New Zealand |
17:30 NZT | Report | Stadium: McLean Park Referee: Rebecca Durcau (Australia) |
14 July Friendly | New Zealand ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Auckland, New Zealand |
Report |
|
Stadium: Keith Hay Park Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors) |
20 July FIFA WC Group | New Zealand ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | Wellington, New Zealand |
17:30 NZT | Report | Sarina Bolden ![]() |
Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium Attendance: 32,357 Referee: Katia García (Mexico) |
30 July FIFA WC Group | Switzerland ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Dunedin, New Zealand |
19:00 NZT | Report | Stadium: Forsyth Barr Stadium Attendance: 25,947 Referee: Tori Penso (United States) |
23 September Friendly | Chile ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Santiago, Chile |
19:00 UTC−3 | Source | Stadium: Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida Referee: Nadia Fuques (Uruguay) |
26 September Friendly | Chile ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Santiago, Chile |
11:00 UTC−3 | Source |
|
Stadium: Quilín Complex Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors) |
- New Zealand Fixtures and Results – Soccerway.com
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
Position | Name | Ref. |
---|---|---|
Head coach | ![]() |
[14] |
Players
Current squad
- The following players were named to the squad for the friendly against Chile on 23 and 25 September 2023.[15]
- Caps and goals are current as of 30 July 2023 after match against Switzerland.[16]
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Brianna Edwards | January 27, 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
21 | GK | Victoria Esson | 6 March 1991 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
23 | GK | Anna Leat | 26 June 2001 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
4 | DF | CJ Bott | 22 April 1995 | 41 | 3 | ![]() |
14 | DF | Katie Bowen | 15 April 1994 | 97 | 3 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Claudia Bunge | 21 September 1999 | 24 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Michaela Foster | 9 January 1999 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
DF | Ally Green | 17 August 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Grace Neville | April 9, 2000 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
7 | DF | Ali Riley (captain) | 30 October 1987 | 157 | 2 | ![]() |
13 | DF | Rebekah Stott | 17 June 1993 | 93 | 4 | ![]() |
DF | Kate Taylor | October 21, 2003 | 8 | 0 | ![]() | |
11 | MF | Olivia Chance | 5 October 1993 | 47 | 2 | ![]() |
12 | MF | Betsy Hassett | 4 August 1990 | 148 | 13 | ![]() |
10 | MF | Annalie Longo | 1 July 1991 | 131 | 15 | ![]() |
6 | MF | Malia Steinmetz | 18 January 1999 | 23 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | FW | Milly Clegg | 1 November 2005 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | FW | Jacqui Hand | 19 February 1999 | 17 | 2 | ![]() |
18 | FW | Grace Jale | 10 April 1999 | 19 | 2 | ![]() |
9 | FW | Gabi Rennie | 7 July 2001 | 28 | 2 | ![]() |
20 | FW | Indiah-Paige Riley | 20 December 2001 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
15 | FW | Paige Satchell | 13 April 1998 | 44 | 2 | ![]() |
17 | FW | Hannah Wilkinson | 28 May 1992 | 118 | 29 | ![]() |
FW | Grace Wisnewski | 28 June 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
Recent call-ups
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 | Murphy Sheaff | September 12, 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Lily Alfeld | 4 August 1995 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Erin Nayler | 17 April 1992 | 84 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup |
DF | Meikayla Moore | June 4, 1996 | 63 | 4 | ![]() |
2023 FIFA Women's World CupUNV |
DF | Mackenzie Barry | April 11, 2001 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Anna Green | 20 August 1990 | 82 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Ashleigh Ward | 18 August 1994 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Rebecca Lake | 13 May 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Elizabeth Anton | 12 December 1998 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup |
MF | Emma Rolston | 10 November 1996 | 15 | 6 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Jana Radosavljevic | 4 November 1996 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Aniela Jensen | 22 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Ria Percival (vice-captain) | 7 December 1989 | 166 | 15 | ![]() |
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup |
MF | Daisy Cleverley | 30 April 1997 | 31 | 2 | ![]() |
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup |
MF | Ava Collins | April 18, 2002 | 11 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 FIFA Women's World CupPRE |
FW | Hannah Blake | 5 May 2000 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Deven Jackson | 22 April 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Tayla O'Brien | 6 July 1994 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Alyssa Whinham | 26 October 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Maggie Jenkins | 14 June 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
Notes:
|
Captains
- Abby Erceg – 49 matches (2013–2017)
- Ali Riley – 48 matches (2017– ) †
- Rebecca Smith – 45 matches (2003–2007, 2011–2012)
- Hayley Moorwood – 43 matches (2007–2011
- Barbara Cox – 19 matches (1975,1984–1987)
- Terry McCahill – 14 matches (1995–1998)
- Marilyn Marshall – 12 matches (?)
- Wendi Henderson – 9 matches (2000, 2006–2007
- Maureen Jacobson – 9 matches (2005–2006)
- Ali Grant – 6 matches (1981–1983)
- Ria Percival – 6 matches (2017, 2019, 2023– ) †
- Leslie King – 5 matches (1991)
- Viv Robertson – 5 matches (1998–1991)
†Current New Zealand co-captain
Records
Bold players are still active.
- Statistics as of 30 July 2023.[17]
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Most capped players
# | Player | Years | Caps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ria Percival | 2006– | 166 | 15 |
2 | Ali Riley | 2007– | 157 | 2 |
3 | Betsy Hassett | 2008– | 148 | 14 |
4 | Abby Erceg | 2006–2022 | 146 | 6 |
5 | Annalie Longo | 2006– | 131 | 15 |
6 | Amber Hearn | 2004–2018 | 125 | 54 |
7 | Katie Duncan | 2006–2019 | 124 | 1 |
8 | Hannah Wilkinson | 2010– | 118 | 29 |
9 | Rosie White | 2009–2021 | 111 | 24 |
10 | Kirsty Yallop | 2004–2017 | 104 | 12 |
Top goalscorers
# | 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– | 29 | 118 |
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 | 131 | |
Ria Percival | 2006– | 15 | 166 | |
Honours
Competitive record
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 | ![]() | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 | Squad | Qualified | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 1 | |
1995 | ![]() | Did not qualify | 2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | |||||||||
1999 | ![]() |
2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 41 | 3 | ||||||||||
2003 | ![]() |
2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 2 | ||||||||||
2007 | ![]() | Group stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | Squad | Qualified | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 | |
2011 | ![]() | 12th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | Squad | Qualified | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | ||
2015 | ![]() | 19th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Squad | Qualified | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
2019 | ![]() | 20th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Squad | Qualified | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | ||
2023 | ![]() ![]() | 20th | 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 |
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics record | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Host | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
1996 | ![]() | Did not qualify | ||||||||
2000 | ![]() | |||||||||
2004 | ![]() | Did not enter | ||||||||
2008 | ![]() | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 1 |
2012 | ![]() | Quarter-finals | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 3 |
2016 | ![]() | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 3 |
2020 | ![]() | 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 Cup
OFC Women's Nations Cup record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Host | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
1983 | ![]() | Champions | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 3 | +21 |
1986 | ![]() | Third place | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
1989 | ![]() | Runners-up | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 | +9 |
1991 | ![]() | Champions | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 1 | +27 |
1994 | ![]() | Runners-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | +8 |
1998 | ![]() | Runners-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 41 | 3 | +38 |
2003 | ![]() | Runners-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 2 | +27 |
2007 | ![]() | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 | +20 |
2010 | ![]() | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | +50 |
2014 | ![]() | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | +30 |
2018 | ![]() | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | +43 |
2022 | ![]() |
Did not enter | |||||||
Total | 6 titles | 45 | 37 | 1 | 7 | 289 | 16 | +273 |
AFC Women's Asian Cup
AFC Women's Asian Cup record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
Invitee | ||||||||
![]() | Champions | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
Total | 1 title | 1/1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
Algarve Cup
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".[18]
![]() | ||||||||
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
The SheBelieves Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer hosted in the United States.
![]() | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 also
- Sport in New Zealand
- New Zealand women's national football team
- New Zealand women's national football team results
- List of New Zealand women's international footballers
- New Zealand women's national under-20 football team
- New Zealand women's national under-17 football team
References
- "Soccer women step out with new name – Football Ferns". Stuff.co.nz. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- "Aotearoa New Zealand". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- "1975 ASIAN CUP". New Zealand Football on NZfootball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2 September 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
- "1975". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
- "New Zealand makes history by being ousted in group stage, as Group A is settled". Fox Sports. 31 July 2023.
- "Nike unveils Football Ferns FIFA World Cup team kits and innovative period wear". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – New Zealand – Women's". FIFA. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- "Liv takes her chance to secure draw for Ferns". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- "Ferns fall to Portugal". New Zealand Football. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- Rollo, Phillip (20 February 2023). "Football Ferns have goal ruled out in 2–0 defeat to Argentina in Hamilton". Stuff. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- "Attendances rising for women's football games ahead of FIFA World Cup". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- "New Zealand–Argentina: Key details and streaming info". FIFA. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- "Ferns coach to take side through to 2023 Women's World Cup revealed". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- "Squad named for first Ford Football Ferns fixtures following FIFA Women's World Cup". 16 September 2023.
- "Caps 'n' Goals". ultimatenzsoccer.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- "Roll of Honour". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- "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
- Official website
- FIFA profile (archived 21 December 2007)