Photo Credit: FIFA via Getty Images
Oceania representatives New Zealand kicks off their 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign tomorrow against 2022 bronze medalists Nigeria, continuing their remarkable record of playing at every single FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since hosting the inaugural tournament in 2008.
They qualified last year thanks to a late goal from forward Katie Pugh to secure a narrow 1-0 win over Fiji in the final in Tahiti.
The Young Football Ferns will be led into the World Cup by head coach Alana Gunn. She’s well-known in the New Zealand football scene, having led the Canterbury United Pride for six seasons in New Zealand’s National League, winning three league titles and bringing through a number of Football Ferns such as Kate Taylor and Gabi Rennie.
Drawn in Group A and opening the tournament’s action this year, New Zealand have a tough first match against a very attack-minded Nigeria, who beat New Zealand 4-0 in the group stages on their way to claiming third place at the last FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2022.
Nigeria were the first African side to qualify for this year’s World Cup, and they have African qualifying’s top goalscorer (12 goals in six games) in Harmony Chidi leading the line.
New Zealand face further group games against tournament hosts Dominican Republic and tournament debutants Ecuador.
Match details
Thursday, 17 October, 9:00am (NZT)
New Zealand vs Nigeria
Sunday, 20 October, 12:00pm (NZT)
New Zealand vs Dominican Republic
Wednesday, 23 October, 12:00pm (NZT)
New Zealand vs Ecuador
All of New Zealand’s group matches will be played at CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros, and can be watched LIVE and FREE on FIFA+.
New Zealand FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 squad
Mikaela Bangalan – Fencibles United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Grace Bartlett – Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Laura Bennett – Melville United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Mary Brown – FC Bulleen Lions, Australia
Sophie Campbell – Hamilton Wanderers, Aotearoa New Zealand
Katie Chellenbron – Milton Keynes Dons, England
Amber De Wit – Nomads United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Charli Dunn – Western Springs, Aotearoa New Zealand
Alyssha Eglinton – Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand (captain)
Emily Humphrey – Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ela Jerez – Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Millee Loxton – Fencibles United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Charley March – Hibiscus Coast, Aotearoa New Zealand
Kyra Morgan – Western Suburbs, Aotearoa New Zealand
Harriet Muller – Moturoa, Aotearoa New Zealand
Brooke Neary – Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Katie Pugh – Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Maddison Sawkins – Gungahlin United, Australia
Hannah Saxon – Eastern Suburbs, Aotearoa New Zealand
Pia Vlok – Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Natalie Young – Hamilton Wanderers, Aotearoa New Zealand
Followers of the 2024 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship will recognise a few names here, with seven of the squad part of New Zealand’s Championship-winning side in Fiji last month: Mikaela Bangalan, Laura Bennett (Golden Boot winner), Charley March, Harriet Muller, Katie Pugh, Pia Vlok (Golden Ball winner), and Natalie Young.