OFC U-19 Women’s Championship

The 10th edition of the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship took place in 2023 and doubled as qualification for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ in Colombia. It was the first edition of the tournament to be played after the COVID-19 pandemic, and was hosted by Fiji, with the matches split between venues in Lautoka and Suva.

The tournament also reverted back to an under-20 age restriction for the first time since 2015.

One of OFC’s smallest Member Associations the Cook Islands had a standout tournament and reached the semi-finals where they put up a brave fight against New Zealand who won 5-0 to book their place in the Championship decider.

OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023, Tahiti v Cook Islands, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji, Sunday 25th June 2023. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz

Hosts Fiji defeated Samoa 3-1 in the other semi-final to set up a showdown against the Kiwis.

OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023, Semi Final 1, Samoa v Fiji, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji, Wednesday 5th July 2023. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz

Two goals each from Manaia Elliott and Ruby Nathan ensured New Zealand resumed their dominance of the competition with a 7-0 victory in the final, claiming their eighth consecutive OFC U-20 Women’s Championship title.

FIFA later announced two teams from Oceania would compete at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to be hosted in Colombia meaning Fiji joined New Zealand in qualifying for the showpiece event.

Fiji faced a tough assignment, drawn into Group B, alongside Brazil, Canada and France. Despite a brave effort, they lost all three group matches and exited the competition at the first stage.

New Zealand had an equally difficult draw, with Japan, Austria and Ghana their opponents in Group E. After losing their opening match to Japan, the Kiwis narrowly missed out on picking up points in their two subsequent matches, both 3-1 defeats to Austria and Ghan respectively.