The Ford Futsal Ferns have confirmed two international friendlies against world number one Brazil to be played this month as the team builds towards the first ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in November.

Aotearoa New Zealand will face the South American futsal powerhouse over two games on Sunday 26 October, KO 11:30am NZT (Saturday 25 October, 7:30pm local time) and Tuesday 28 October, KO 11:30am NZT (Monday 27 October, 7:30pm local time).

Both games will be played at Ginásio Jones Minosso in Lages, Brazil.

Ford Futsal Ferns head coach Nic Downes has also named his squad for the tour, with 16 players selected.

Twelve of the squad are based domestically, with four playing overseas in Australia, England, and Japan.

The full squad is:

Shivanthi Anthony – ASV Pescadola Machida, Japan
Alosi Bloomfield – Papakura City x NRF, New Zealand
Libby Boobyer – Capital Futsal, New Zealand
Danielle Bradley – Melbourne AKU FC, Australia
Jordana Bremner – Papakura City x NRF, New Zealand
Maxine Cooper – Capital Futsal, New Zealand
Jamie Evans – Waikato Rapids, New Zealand
Ellena Firth – Papakura City x NRF, New Zealand
Hannah Hegarty – Canterbury United Pride, New Zealand
Ella James – Papakura City x NRF, New Zealand
Hannah Kraakman – Bloomsbury Futsal, England
Britney-Lee Nicholson – Canterbury United Pride, New Zealand
Serena Patel – Canterbury United Pride, New Zealand
Catherine Pretty – Bloomsbury Futsal, England
Sydney Sparks – Papakura City x NRF, New Zealand
Jess Verdon – Papakura City x NRF, New Zealand

The first ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup will take place in the Philippines from 21 November.

The Ford Futsal Ferns have been drawn in Group C alongside Japan, Portugal, and Tanzania.

The team will start their campaign against Japan on 23 November, before facing Tanzania on 26 November and Portugal on 29 November.

All games will be played at PhilSports Arena in the Manila Metropolitan Region.

Article added: Wednesday 08 October 2025