Football Ferns for FIFA WWC qualies named
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
The Football Ferns squad for the Oceania Qualifiers finals, set to be played in New Zealand, the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
Head coach Michael Mayne’s side will first face Fiji in the semifinals on Sunday 12 April at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
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The winner of that game will then take on the winner of Papua New Guinea v American Samoa on Wednesday 15 April at North Harbour Stadium, with the victorious side booking their ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
The squad sees Ferns’ regulars Ally Green, Jacqui Hand, Gabi Rennie, and Kate Taylor, added to the group who won all three Oceania Qualifiers games in the Solomon Islands earlier this month without conceding a goal.
Mayne explained how the balance of the squad was made up.
“These are really important games for us to achieve the first of our goals in our campaign plan, qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
“Because of these games coming so quickly after the group stage we have made the decision to retain the vast majority of that squad so we have real consistency and can hit the ground running once the players are back home.
“The tournament in the Solomon Islands was a great start to the year, and while the scores reflected the difference in quality we have over those OFC nations, what was pleasing was the way in which we stayed connected to what we wanted to get from the fixtures in the way we played and approached those matches very professionally as a group.
“I am extremely pleased with how this team is working on and off the pitch right now and how they are for looking for ways to drive each other in every opportunity we get together.
“Now we get to continue that work on home soil and we want to put on an entertaining match against Fiji on April 12 in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton.
“The reality is, we have not played in New Zealand in over a year so being back in Aotearoa is a real privilege and the prospect of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in front of our home fans and families is very special and not something we get to do very often.
“The players are obviously extremely motivated to come back, connect with our people and put on a some good performances that book our ticket to Brazil in front of our home supporters.”
Meikayla Moore and Gabi Rennie are the two most experienced players in the side with 77 and 45 games respectively while Claudia Bunge has played 40 games for the Football Ferns.
Jacqui Hand and Grace Jale both have 37 games to their credit.
The quartet of Victoria Esson, Jale, Emma Pijnenburg and 17-year-old Pia Vlok are all members of the Wellington Phoenix women's side.
The full New Zealand squad is:
Liz Anton, Hannah Blake, Kelli Brown, Claudia Bunge, Milly Clegg, Victoria Esson, Michaela Foster, Ally Green, Maya Hahn, Jacqui Hand, Deven Jackson, Grace Jale, Katie Ktching Charlotte Lancaster, Meikayla Moore, Emma Pijenburg, Gabi Rennie, Indiah-Paige Riley, Alina Santos, Rebekah Stott, Katie Taylor Pia Vlok, Grace Wisnewski.
