New Zealand women's national football team

New Zealand women's national football team
The New Zealand women's national football team (recognised as Aotearoa New Zealand by FIFA) 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. New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 World Cup alongside Australia. 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. 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-host. Despite winning their opening match against Norway, they suffered a shocking loss to debutants Philippines and later drew to Switzerland in their final match, and were eliminated. This was the first time the hosts were eliminated from the group stage. They only managed to score one goal during the tournament.
Team image
The New Zealand women's national football team are also known by their nickname the "Football Ferns". 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.
FIFA world rankings
Worst Ranking Best Ranking Worst Mover Best Mover
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
2022
2023
New Zealand Fixtures and Results – Soccerway.com
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
Players
Current squad
The following players were named to the squad for the friendly against Chile on 23 and 25 September 2023.
Caps and goals are current as of 30 July 2023 after match against Switzerland.
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up within the last 12 months and remain eligible for selection.
Notes:
RET Retired from national team.
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
UNV Made themselves unavailable for selection
INJ Withdrew due to an injury.
COVID Withdrew due to COVID–19.
TOP Train-on player.
Captains
Abby Erceg – 49 matches (2013–2017)
Ali Riley – 48 matches (2017– ) †
Rebecca Smith – 45 matches (2003–2007, 2011–2012)
Hayley Moorwood – 43 matches (2007–2011
Barbara Cox – 19 matches (1975,1984–1987)
Terry McCahill – 14 matches (1995–1998)
Marilyn Marshall – 12 matches (?)
Wendi Henderson – 9 matches (2000, 2006–2007
Maureen Jacobson – 9 matches (2005–2006)
Ali Grant – 6 matches (1981–1983)
Ria Percival – 6 matches (2017, 2019, 2023– ) †
Leslie King – 5 matches (1991)
Viv Robertson – 5 matches (1998–1991)
†Current New Zealand co-captain
Records
Bold players are still active.
Statistics as of 30 July 2023.
Most capped players
Top goalscorers
Honours
Continental
OFC Women's Nations Cup
Champions: 1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018
Runners-up: 1989, 1994, 1998, 2003
AFC Women's Championship
Champions: 1975
Competitive record
FIFA Women's World Cup
Olympic Games
OFC Women's Nations Cup
AFC Women's Asian Cup
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".
SheBelieves Cup
The SheBelieves Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer hosted in the United States.
See also
Sport in New Zealand
Football in New Zealand
Women's football in New Zealand
New Zealand women's national football team
New Zealand women's national football team results
List of New Zealand women's international footballers
New Zealand women's national under-20 football team
New Zealand women's national under-17 football team
References
External links
FIFA profile (archived 21 December 2007)
Oceanian women's national association football teams