New Zealand women's national football team

New Zealand
NicknameFootball Ferns[1]
AssociationNew Zealand Football
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachMichael Mayne
CaptainAli Riley
Most capsRia Percival (166)
Top scorerAmber Hearn (54)
FIFA codeNZL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 35 2 (11 December 2025)[2]
Highest16 (December 2013, July 2015 – March 2016)
Lowest35 (December 2025)
First international
 New Zealand 2–0 Hong Kong 
(Hong Kong; 25 August 1975)
Biggest win
 New Zealand 21–0 Samoa 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 9 October 1998)
Biggest defeat
 North Korea 11–0 New Zealand 
(Brisbane, Australia; 24 February 2004)
World Cup
Appearances6 (first in 1991)
Best resultGroup stage (1991, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
Olympic Games
Appearances5 (first in 2008)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2012)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1983)
Best resultChampions (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Medal record
OFC Women's Nations Cup
1983 New Caledonia
1991 Australia
2007 Papua New Guinea
2010 New Zealand
2014 Papua New Guinea Team
2018 New Caledonia Team
1989 Australia
1994 Papua New Guinea
1998 New Zealand
2003 Australia
AFC Women's Championship
1975 Hong Kong
CONCACAF W Championship
1993 United States

The New Zealand women's national football team represents New Zealand in international football competitions, and is governed by New Zealand Football (NZF). They are nicknamed the Football Ferns.

The New Zealand national team has taken part in the FIFA Women's World Cup six times, making their debut in 1991.[3] New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 World Cup alongside Australia.[4] They have failed to go past the group stage in all occasions.

History

The New Zealand Women's Soccer Association was founded in 1975. By invitation, the team took part in the Asian Women's Championship in 1975 and won the championship.[5] They have since then played in the Oceanic Championship.

As Australia left the OFC, New Zealand had no serious and competitive rivals in Oceania. This made New Zealand's qualification to the World Cup and Olympics easier having contested every edition of both tournaments since 2007.

2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup along with Australia after being awarded it on 25 June 2020 as the favourites over other bidder Colombia. The Football Ferns automatically qualified as co-hosts. Despite winning their opening match against Norway, their first World Cup win for either a women's or men's World Cup,[6] they suffered a shocking loss to debutants Philippines and later drew with Switzerland in their final match and were eliminated after Norway defeated the Philippines and finished above New Zealand on goal difference. This was the first time the hosts were eliminated from the group stage. They only managed to score one goal during the tournament.[7]

Team image

The New Zealand women's national football team are also known by their nickname the "Football Ferns".[1] Like their male counterparts, the team has traditionally worn all white kits. For the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Football Ferns switched to an all black first choice kit reminiscent of the New Zealand national rugby union team, as well as the country's national teams in other sports, including rugby league, field hockey, netball, basketball, volleyball, and limited overs cricket. The away kit pairs the traditional white shirts and socks with turquoise shorts.[8]

FIFA world rankings

As of 14 July 2021[9]

  Worst Ranking    Best Ranking    Worst Mover    Best Mover  

New Zealand's FIFA world rankings
Rank Year Games
Played 		Won Lost Drawn Best Worst
Rank Move Rank Move
22 2021 1 0 1 0 22 0 22 0

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture   Void or Postponed

2025

5 April Friendly Chinese Taipei  Cancelled  New Zealand Taiwan
Report Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
Note: The match was called off due to issues with the pitch.[10]
8 April Friendly Chinese Taipei  Cancelled  New Zealand Kaohsiung, Taiwan
18:30 UTC+8 Source Stadium: Kaohsiung Nanzih Football Stadium
Note: The match was called off due to issues with the pitch.[11]
31 May Friendly New Zealand  1–3  Venezuela San Pedro Alcántara, Spain
18:00 UTC+2
  • Kitching 38'
 Report
Stadium: Marbella Football Center
Referee: Seth Galia (Gibraltar)
3 June Friendly New Zealand  2–1  Venezuela Algeciras, Spain
18:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Mirador
Referee: Seth Galia (Gibraltar)
23 October Friendly Mexico  1–0  New Zealand Mexico City, Mexico
20:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes
Attendance: 10,250
Referee: Astrid Gramajo (Guatemala)
26 October Friendly Mexico  2–0  New Zealand Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
20:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Belkis Flores (Honduras)
29 October Friendly United States  6–0  New Zealand Kansas City, United States
19:00 UTC−5
Report Stadium: CPKC Stadium
Attendance: 11,044
Referee: Saphire Stockman (Costa Rica)
28 November Friendly Australia  5–0  New Zealand Gosford, Australia
19:30 UTC+11
Report Stadium: polytec Stadium
Attendance: 20,519
Referee: Kim Yu-jeong (South Korea)
2 December Friendly Australia  2–0  New Zealand Adelaide, Australia
20:00 UTC+10:30
Report Stadium: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 15,097
Referee: Hong Yu (China)

2026

27 February 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification New Zealand  8–0  Samoa Honiara, Solomon Islands
13:00 UTC+11
Report (FIFA) Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 200
Referee: Mu Mingxin (China)
2 March 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification New Zealand  8–0  Solomon Islands Honiara, Solomon Islands
17:00 UTC+11
Report (FIFA) Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 400
Referee: Gulshoda Saitkulova (Uzbekistan)
5 March 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification American Samoa  0–3  New Zealand Honiara, Solomon Islands
13:00 UTC+11 Report (FIFA)
Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 200
Referee: Mu Mingxin (China)
12 April 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification New Zealand  v  Fiji Hamilton, New Zealand
Stadium: FMG Stadium Waikato

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Position Name[12]
Head coach Michael Mayne
Assistant coach Jenni Foster
Assistant coach Sam Wilkinson
Assistant coach Jenny Bindon
Goalkeeping coach Will Britt
Performance Analyst Alice Noyer
Sports Scientist Reilly O'Meagher

Manager history

[13]

Players

Main article: List of New Zealand women's international footballers

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification third round matches on 12 and 15 April 2026. The first match will be against Fiji. Should the Football Ferns win, they will play the winner of Papua New Guinea versus American Samoa.[37]

Caps and goals correct as of 5 March 2026, after the match against American Samoa.[38]
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Victoria Esson (1991-03-06) 6 March 1991 32 0 Wellington Phoenix
1GK Alina Santos (2003-08-25) 25 August 2003 2 0 Denver Pioneers
2DF Elizabeth Anton (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 27 0 Canberra United
2DF Claudia Bunge (1999-09-21) 21 September 1999 40 1 Melbourne Victory
2DF Michaela Foster (1999-01-09) 9 January 1999 33 1 Durham
2DF Ally Green (1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 18 2 Calgary Wild
2DF Meikayla Moore (1996-06-04) 4 June 1996 77 4 Calgary Wild
2DF Rebekah Stott (1993-06-17) 17 June 1993 110 4 Melbourne City
2DF Kate Taylor (2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 28 2 Dijon
3MF Katie Kitching (1998-11-30) 30 November 1998 26 7 Sunderland
3MF Maya Hahn (2001-02-07) 7 February 2001 10 1 Viktoria Berlin
3MF Deven Jackson (1998-04-22) 22 April 1998 8 1 Melbourne City
3MF Charlotte Lancaster (2003-11-08) 8 November 2003 3 0 Newcastle Jets
3MF Emma Pijnenburg (2004-09-13) 13 September 2004 11 0 Wellington Phoenix
3MF Grace Wisnewski (2002-06-28) 28 June 2002 7 0 FC Nordsjælland
4FW Hannah Blake (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 10 3 Durham
4FW Kelli Brown (2001-02-21) 21 February 2001 11 4 Newcastle Jets
4FW Milly Clegg (2005-11-01) 1 November 2005 23 4 Vittsjö GIK
4FW Jacqui Hand (1999-02-19) 19 February 1999 37 9 Kolbotn
4FW Grace Jale (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 37 10 Wellington Phoenix
4FW Gabi Rennie (2001-07-07) 7 July 2001 43 2 Eskilstuna United
4FW Indiah-Paige Riley (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 37 9 Crystal Palace
4FW Pia Vlok (2008-09-04) 4 September 2008 3 1 Wellington Phoenix

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Maddie Iro (2005-10-24) 24 October 2005 1 0 Hills United v.  American Samoa, 5 March 2026
GK Anna Leat (2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 22 0 Newcastle Jets v.  Australia, 2 December 2025
GK Brianna Edwards (2003-01-27) 27 January 2003 1 0 Western Sydney Wanderers v.  Venezuela, 3 June 2025
GK Claudia Jenkins (1998-06-20) 20 June 1998 0 0 Adelaide United v.  Venezuela, 31 May 2025
DF Mackenzie Barry (2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 24 1 Wellington Phoenix v.  American Samoa, 5 March 2026
DF Manaia Elliott (2005-04-21) 21 April 2005 7 2 Wellington Phoenix v.  American Samoa, 5 March 2026
DF Suya Haering (2005-07-03) 3 July 2005 2 0 FC Carl Zeiss Jena v.  American Samoa, 5 March 2026
DF Lara WallINJ (2000-05-31) 31 May 2000 2 0 Wellington Phoenix v.  Samoa, 27 February 2026
DF CJ Bott (1995-04-22) 22 April 1995 50 3 Wellington Phoenix v.  Australia, 2 December 2025
DF Katie Bowen (1994-04-15) 15 April 1994 116 4 Inter Milan v.  United States, 29 October 2025
DF Grace Neville (2000-04-09) 9 April 2000 14 0 Ipswich Town v.  United States, 29 October 2025
DF Rebecca Lake (1999-05-13) 13 May 1999 0 0 Vancouver Rise v.  United States, 29 October 2025
MF Olivia Chance (1993-10-05) 5 October 1993 47 2 Kolbotn v.  Australia, 2 December 2025
MF Betsy Hassett (1990-08-04) 4 August 1990 159 16 Stjarnan v.  Australia, 2 December 2025
MF Annalie Longo (1991-07-01) 1 July 1991 142 15 Auckland United v.  Australia, 2 December 2025
MF Jana Radosavljević (1996-11-04) 4 November 1996 3 0 C.S. Marítimo v.  Taiwan, 8 April 2025
FW Ruby Nathan (2005-10-11) 11 October 2005 5 1 Eastern Suburbs v.  Venezuela, 3 June 2025
Notes
  • ALT = Alternate
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET = Retired from the national team


Captains

[39]

Records

Main article: List of New Zealand women's international footballers
As of 2 December 2025 [39]
Players in bold are still active with the national team.


Most capped players

# Player Years Caps Goals
1 Ria Percival 2006–2023 166 15
2 Ali Riley 2007–2024 163 2
3 Betsy Hassett 2008– 160 16
4 Abby Erceg 2006–2022 146 6
5 Annalie Longo 2006-2025 144 15
6 Amber Hearn 2004–2018 125 54
Hannah Wilkinson 2010–2024 125 32
8 Katie Duncan 2006–2019 124 1
9 Katie Bowen 2011– 116 4
10 Rosie White 2009–2021 111 24





Top goalscorers

# Player Years Goals Caps Avg.
1 Amber Hearn (list) 2004–2018 54 125 0.43
2 Wendy Sharpe 1980–1995 34 51 0.67
Sarah Gregorius 2010–2020 34 100 0.34
4 Hannah Wilkinson 2010–2024 32 125 0.26
5 Rosie White 2009–2021 24 111 0.22
6 Maureen Jacobson 1979–1996 17 53 0.32
Wendi Henderson 1987–2007 17 64 0.27
8 Betsy Hassett 2008– 16 160 0.1
9 Pernille Andersen 1998–1998 15 7 2.14
Annalie Longo 2006–2025 15 144 0.1
Ria Percival 2006–2023 15 166 0.09

Honours

Major competitions

Champions (6): 1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018
Runners-up (4): 1989, 1994, 1998, 2003
Champions: 1975
Runners-up (1): 1993

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

Main article: New Zealand at the FIFA Women's World Cup
New Zealand's FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
1991 Group stage 11th 3 0 0 3 1 11 Squad Via OFC Women's Nations Cup
1995 Did not qualify
1999
2003
2007 Group stage 14th 3 0 0 3 0 9 Squad
2011 12th 3 0 1 2 4 6 Squad
2015 19th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad
2019 20th 3 0 0 3 1 5 Squad
2023 20th 3 1 1 1 1 1 Squad Qualified as co-hosts
2027 To be determined To be determined
2031
2035
Total Group stage 6/9 18 1 4 13 9 35 32 28 0 4 252 9

Olympic Games

Main article: Football at the Summer Olympics
Further information: OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
Summer Olympics record
Year Host Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA GD Squad
1996 United States Did not qualify
2000 Australia
2004 Greece Did not enter
2008 China Group stage 10th 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 Squad
2012 United Kingdom Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 0 3 3 5 −2 Squad
2016 Brazil Group stage 9th 3 1 0 2 1 5 −4 Squad
2020 Japan Group stage 12th 3 0 0 3 2 10 −8 Squad
2024 France Group stage 10th 3 0 0 3 2 6 −4 Squad
Total Quarter-finals 5/8 16 2 1 13 10 33 −23

OFC Women's Nations Cup

OFC Women's Nations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1983 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 24 3
1986 Third place 3rd 4 2 0 2 3 3
1989 Runners-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 10 1
1991 Champions 1st 4 3 0 1 28 1
1994 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 10 2
1998 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 41 3
2003 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 29 2
2007 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 21 1
2010 Champions 1st 5 5 0 0 50 0
2014 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 30 0
2018 Champions 1st 5 5 0 0 43 0
2022 Did not enter
2025
Total 6 titles 11/13 45 37 1 7 289 16

AFC Women's Asian Cup

AFC Women's Asian Cup record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
Invitee
1975 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 11 3
Total 1 title 1/1 4 4 0 0 11 3

Algarve Cup

The Algarve Cup is an invitational tournament for national teams in women's association football hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious and longest-running women's international football events and has been nicknamed the "Mini FIFA Women's World Cup".[40]

Algarve Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD
2016 4th place 4 1 2 1 2 2 0
2020 4th place 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4
Total 2/28 7 1 3 3 4 8 −4

SheBelieves Cup

The SheBelieves Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer hosted in the United States.

SheBelieves Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD
2022 4th 3 0 1 2 0 6 −6
Total 1/10 3 0 1 2 0 6 −6

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Soccer women step out with new name – Football Ferns". Stuff. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  3. ^ "1975 ASIAN CUP". New Zealand Football on NZfootball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2 September 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  4. ^ Diamond, Drew (12 November 2023). "World Cup legacy continues to take effect in Aotearoa-New Zealand". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  5. ^ "1975". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  6. ^ Gastelum, Andrew (20 July 2023). "New Zealand Records First World Cup Win With Upset Over Norway". Sports Illustrated.
  7. ^ "New Zealand makes history by being ousted in group stage, as Group A is settled". Fox Sports. 31 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Nike unveils Football Ferns FIFA World Cup team kits and innovative period wear". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  9. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – New Zealand – Women's". FIFA. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Behind-closed-doors match called off between Ferns and Chinese Taipei". friendsoffootballnz.com. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  11. ^ "'Safety concerns' force cancellation of Ferns international against Chinese Tapei". friendsoffootballnz.com. 6 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Ferns Legend and English WSL Coach Join Ford Football Ferns Coaching Staff for FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Cycle". New Zealand Football. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Coaching Records". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Page 6. Women's international football". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2024. The first head coach of the national women's team was Wellington-based Dave Farrington, who held the role from 1975 to 1979.
  15. ^ "Fan discovers grandad among locker room legends". FIFA Museum. FIFA. 9 September 2016. Armstrong would also later take the coaching reins of the New Zealand women' side in 1980.
  16. ^ a b Smith, Tony (25 May 2023). "From 70s restart to Fifa Women's World Cup hosting - NZ football's remarkable revival". Stuff. Roy Cox - rated by women's football historian Jeremy Ruane as "the godfather" of the women's game - had a coaching wins ratio of 56% from 1983 to 1987 - and Dave Boardman (1988-94) 55 %.
  17. ^ Riddle, Charles (18 August 2017). "Obituary: Waikato women's football pioneer ahead of his time". Stuff.
  18. ^ Wilson, Sam (23 June 2023). "Football Ferns mourn former player and coach Nora Watkins". Stuff. She later went on to have a hugely successful coaching career at domestic level before taking charge of the national side for a two-match series against Australia in March 1995 – the first woman to hold that position.
  19. ^ Ruane, Jeremy. "Michele Cox – Quite Simply, The Best". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 3 January 2024. Thus four years of frustration ensued, until the appointment in 1995 of a new national coach, Maurice Tillotson.
  20. ^ Maddaford, Terry. "Soccer: Fallon and the Rufers tipped as coaches for Kings". The New Zealand Herald.
  21. ^ Eriksen, Alanah (6 May 2009). "Ex-All White upset by murder story". The New Zealand Herald.
  22. ^ "Ferns coach to take side through to 2023 Women's World Cup revealed". New Zealand Football. 1 September 2021. former captain Wendi Henderson jointly held the role of coach with fellow former international Ali Grant in October 2004
  23. ^ Maddaford, Terry (26 April 2005). "Soccer: New coach draws side from far and wide". The New Zealand Herald.
  24. ^ Smith, Tony (2 April 2022). "How Māori wisdom helped football coach John Herdman on the road to World Cup glory". Stuff. Aged 31, he took over the Football Ferns coaching for two matches against China in 2006.
  25. ^ Brown, Michael (9 December 2006). "Soccer: Allan Jones' last crusade". The New Zealand Herald.
  26. ^ Maddaford, Terry (1 March 2007). "Soccer: Women's coach quits". The New Zealand Herald.
  27. ^ Runae\f's, Jeremy. "Herdman Embraces "A Massive Responsibility"".
  28. ^ "Herdman finishing as Football Ferns coach". Stuff. 2 September 2011.
  29. ^ "New Football Ferns coach appointed". Radio New Zealand. 14 September 2011.
  30. ^ Voerman, Andrew (2 November 2017). "Departing Football Ferns coach Tony Readings says time right for him to go". Stuff.
  31. ^ "Heraf named as new Ferns Coach". New Zealand Football. 20 December 2017.
  32. ^ "New Zealand women's football coach resigns amid alleged 'toxic culture'". The Guardian. 31 July 2018.
  33. ^ "Sermanni named as Ferns Head Coach". New Zealand Football. 26 October 2018.
  34. ^ "Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni steps down". 1116 SEN. 10 June 2021.
  35. ^ "'Tension not a bad thing': Klimkova's Football Ferns exit sign of growth". 1News. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Michael Mayne Named Football Ferns Head Coach". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  37. ^ "Football Ferns named for World Cup Oceania Qualifiers Finals in NZ". RNZ. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  38. ^ "American Samoa vs New Zealand 0-3". FIFA. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  39. ^ a b "Roll of Honour". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  40. ^ "Women's game thriving in the Algarve". FIFA. 9 March 2011. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
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