New Zealand Football has named a 21-player strong squad for next month’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Fresh from claiming the OFC U-16 Championship last week in the Solomon Islands, head coach Alana Gunn has called up 10 players from that victorious squad to now represent Aotearoa New Zealand on the world stage from 17 October to 7 November.

New Zealand secured qualification to represent OFC at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 last year alongside Samoa.

Gunn’s world cup squad brings together players from across New Zealand and overseas, including representatives based in Australia, England and the Netherlands.

The 21-player squad features strong representation from clubs across the domestic game, with Fencibles United contributing four players, while Auckland United, Eastern Suburbs, Melville United and Western Springs all have multiple representatives.

Today’s squad announcement also features AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Nienke Holland, who was part of New Zealand’s FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup squad that participated in Poland earlier this month.

Botany Downs College in Auckland has contributed the most pupils to the squad through Eden Chaytor, Mila Clark and Micaela Besley.

Coincidentally, all three also originate from Fencibles United whose four club players feature in the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad along with Morgan Day.

Drawn in Group A, New Zealand will face host nation Morocco first, followed by matches against Argentina and Germany.

The tournament is the first edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to feature 24 teams, with nations from six confederations competing for global honours in Morocco.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 Squad:

Cate Atkinson (Northern Tigers, Australia), Abbotsleigh
Micaela Besley (Fencibles United), Botany Downs Secondary College
Emmie Butler (Essendon Royals, Australia), Point Cook Senior College
Eden Chaytor (Fencibles United), Botany Downs Secondary College
Mila Clark (Fencibles United), Botany Downs Secondary College
Morgan Day (Fencibles United), Saint Kentigern College
Madeleine Dwyer (Eastern Suburbs), Baradene College
Louisa Egley-Turner (Western Suburbs & Wellington United), Whitby Collegiate
Jessica Ellis (Western Springs), Takapuna Grammar School
Lania Fili (Nepean, Australia), Jamison High School
Elin Gainsford (Melville United), Cambridge High School
Madison Greaves (Crystal Palace, England), Alleyn's School
Alexandra Hedington (Auckland United), Te Kura
Amelia Hitchcock (Eastern Suburbs), Baradene College
Nienke Holland (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Willem Bleau
Mia Humphrey (Melville United), Waikato Diocesan School
Bonnie Rice (Auckland United), Aotearoa Infinite Academy
Isla Robson (Western Springs), Mount Albert Grammar School
Madison Sharkey (Wellington Phoenix), Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt
Bree Toatelegese (Ellerslie), Saint Kentigern College
Ariana Vosper (Unattached), King Edward VI

Head coach Alana Gunn says the squad had earned the opportunity to compete on the sport's biggest youth stage.

"This group has worked incredibly hard throughout the qualifying campaign and preparation programme to earn the chance to represent New Zealand at a FIFA World Cup.

"We have players coming from a range of environments both here in New Zealand and overseas, and together they have formed a tight-knit group that is excited by the challenge ahead.

"Drawing Morocco, Argentina and Germany gives us three very different challenges and that's something we're really looking forward to. Playing the host nation on the opening day will be a fantastic occasion, while Argentina and Germany will provide tough tests of our quality and mentality.

"A World Cup is always a special occasion and we're looking forward to testing ourselves against some of the best young players in the world."

Coverage of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morrocco will be available on TVNZ+.

New Zealand Fixtures:

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 - Group A

Morocco v New Zealand
Sunday 18 October (NZDT)
7:00am kick-off
Mohammed VI Football Academy (Pitch 3), Salé, Morrocco

Argentina v New Zealand
Wednesday 21 October (NZDT)
4:00am kick-off
Mohammed VI Football Academy (Pitch 1), Salé, Morrocco

New Zealand v Germany
Saturday 24 October (NZDT)
7:00am kick-off
Mohammed VI Football Academy (Pitch 3), Salé, Morrocco

Article added: Friday 25 September 2026