NZ squad named for FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Head coach Callum Holmes has named his 21-player squad for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland set for September 5 – 27.
There is still some concern for the tournament over possible boycotts by different nations regarding FIFA leadership.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Ekenasio West Coast Fever netball
However he French Football Federation was first to clarify that it would participate in the upcoming U=20 World Cup, followed by support from New Zealand, and later Canada and Brazil.
New Zealand has been placed in Group D alongside Japan, the United States and Italy.
The Kiwis will kick proceedings off against Japan on 7 September at the Władysław Król Municipal Stadium in Łódź. It is the second consecutive time the New Zealand Women have started a FIFA U-20 World Cup against Japan.
Following that, three days later New Zealand takes on Italy at the same stadium on 10 September before they wrap up Group D against the United States on 13 September in Sosnowiec.
Of the 14 members playing domestically, nine feature from the Wellington Phoenix including striker Pia Vlok and goalkeeper Brooke Neary who received Football Ferns call ups earlier this year.
USA college soccer programs account for 5 players with Penny Brill, Amber de Wit, Grace Duncan, Charli Dunn and Poppy O'Brien coming through NCAA pathways.
Nienke Holland comes from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, the only European club in the squad list.
Zoe Benson and Daisy Brazendale have earned selection for a second FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, after they represented New Zealand at the 2024 tournament in Colombia.
The team will report to a pre-tour camp in Poznań, Poland on August 24 before entering the FIFA bubble on September 2.
Coverage of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland will be available on TVNZ+.
The full FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 squad is:
Mikaela Bangalan - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Grace Bartlett - Auckland United, New Zealand
Laura Bennett - Melville United, New Zealand
Zoe Benson - Auckland United x Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Daisy Brazendale - Unattached
Lily Brazendale - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Penny Brill - Xavier University, USA
Amber de Wit - North Dakota State University, USA
Freya Des Fountain - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Grace Duncan - Washington Women's Soccer, USA
Charli Dunn - Middle Tennessee State University, USA
Alyssha Eglinton - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Scarlett Gray - Sydney University, Australia
Mackenzie Greene - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nienke Holland - AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands
Emily Lyon - West Coast Rangers, New Zealand
Charley March - Auckland United, New Zealand
Charlotte Mortlock - Northern Tigers, Australia
Brooke Neary - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Poppy O'Brien - Colorado State University, USA
Pia Vlok - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Match Details FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 – Group D Fixtures:
Japan vs New Zealand
6 September 2026 [local] / 7 September 2026 [NZT]
KO 3pm [local] / 1am [NZT]
Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź, Łódź, Poland
Italy vs New Zealand
9 September 2026 [local] / 10 September 2026 [NZT]
KO 3pm [local] / 1am [NZT]
Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź, Łódź, Poland
New Zealand vs United States
12 September 2026 [local] / 13 September 2026 [NZT]
KO 3pm [local] / 1am [NZT]
Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland
