New Zealand Football has today named its 18-player squad for the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2026.

The squad will travel to the Solomon Islands for the tournament that’ll run from 6 to 19 September.

New Zealand are the defending champions, aiming for a fourth consecutive OFC U-16 Women’s title.

New Zealand is in Group A of the OFC U-16 Women's Championship 2026 and open their campaign against hosts the Solomon Islands before facing Fiji and concluding the group stage against the Cook Islands.

Led by head coach Alana Gunn, the squad brings together players from clubs across Aotearoa, as well as professional and academy environments in Australia, England, Sweden, and Canada.

The squad features 12 who play in New Zealand, with Auckland United the club that provide the most domestic players with four (Alexandra Hedington, Elizabeth Rennell, Bonnie Rice, Jessica Saunders).

Auckland’s Saint Kentigern College has two pupils in the squad (Morgan Day and Bree Toatelegese) as do Mount Albert Grammar School (Elizabeth Rennell and Jessica Saunders).

European based players Madison Greaves from London club, Crystal Palace and Isabella Wilkinson from Swedish side Hammarby IF have been named while there’s also room for Kodi Wilson who plays at Calgary Foothills in Canada.

Joining from Australia are the trio of Philippa Bromley, Emmie Butler and Bronte Pennells.

New Zealand Squad for OFC U-16 Women's Championship 2026:

Ruby Barber - Wellington Phoenix (NZ), Aotea College

Philippa Bromley - Olympic (Australia), Brisbane State High School

Emmie Butler - Essendon Royals (Australia), Point Cook Senior Secondary College

Mila Clark - Fencibles United (NZ), Botany Downs Secondary College

Morgan Day - Fencibles United (NZ), Saint Kentigern College

Madeleine Dwyer - Eastern Suburbs (NZ), Baradene College

Louisa Egley-Turner - Western Suburbs & Wellington United (NZ), Whitby Collegiate

Jessica Ellis - Western Springs (NZ), Takapuna Grammar School

Madison Greaves - Crystal Palace (England), Alleyn's School

Alexandra Hedington - Auckland United (NZ), Te Kura

Bronte Pennells - FQ Academy (Australia), Chancellor State College

Rosa Redfern - Nomads United (NZ), St Andrew's College

Elizabeth Rennell - Auckland United (NZ), Mount Albert Grammar School

Bonnie Rice - Auckland United (NZ), Westlake Girls' High School

Jessica Saunders - Auckland United (NZ), Mount Albert Grammar School

Bree Toatelegese - Ellerslie (NZ), Saint Kentigern College

Isabella Wilkinson - Hammarby IF (Sweden), International English School

Kodi Wilson - Calgary Foothills (Canada), Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School

For Gunn, the tournament presents an important opportunity to continue the long-term development of emerging talent within New Zealand Football’s age-group pathway and provide players with valuable experience of international football.

"We're excited by the talent, character and potential within this group," says Gunn.

"The players have worked incredibly hard to earn their selection and have embraced every challenge throughout the campaign. This tournament is an important step in their development and provides them with an opportunity to experience the demands of international football, both on and off the pitch.

"While representing New Zealand is always a privilege, our focus at this age is firmly on development. We want to see players grow in confidence, understand what international football demands, and continue building the technical, tactical, physical, and personal behaviours that will support them throughout their pathway.

"Every tournament provides different challenges and learning opportunities. Our measure of success will be how much we grow as a team and as individuals throughout the experience, and whether we continue to develop players who are prepared for the next level of international football.

"Ultimately, this is about building towards the future. We want to create an environment where players can challenge themselves, learn from international competition, and develop the habits and standards that will support their progression into senior international football."

New Zealand will assemble ahead of departure in early September before beginning its campaign in the Solomon Islands.

2026 OFC U-16 Women's Championship – Group A:

Sunday 6 September 2026 – Kick off 4pm NZT
New Zealand v Solomon Islands

Wednesday 9 September 2026 – Kick off 1pm NZT
New Zealand v Fiji

Saturday 12 September 2026 – Kick off 1pm NZT
Cook Islands v New Zealand

Matches will be available live and free on DAZN and FIFA+.

Article added: Thursday 20 August 2026