New Zealand
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Football Ferns[1]
AssociationNew Zealand Football
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachJitka Klimková
CaptainAli Riley
Most capsRia Percival (166)
Top scorerAmber Hearn (54)
FIFA codeNZL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 30 Decrease 4 (15 December 2023)[2]
Highest16 (December 2013, July 2015 – March 2016)
Lowest30 (December 2023)
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)
OFC Women's Nations Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1983)
Best resultChampions (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Summer Olympics
Appearances4 (first in 2008)
Best result8th (2012)

The New Zealand women's national football team (recognised as Aotearoa New Zealand by FIFA)[3] 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.[4] New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 World Cup alongside Australia.[5] 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.[6] 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.[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
2220211010 22Increase 022Decrease 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   Lose   Fixture

2023

18 January Friendly New Zealand  0–4  United States Wellington, New Zealand
Report
Stadium: Sky Stadium
Attendance: 12,508
Referee: Kate Jacewicz (Australia)
21 January Friendly New Zealand  0–5  United States Auckland, New Zealand
Report
Stadium: Eden Park
Attendance: 12,721
Referee: Lara Lee (Australia)
17 February Friendly New Zealand  0–5  Portugal Hamilton, New Zealand
19:00 NZT Report
Stadium: Waikato Stadium
Attendance: 3,788[10]
Referee: Emikar Calderas (Venezuela)
20 February Friendly New Zealand  0–2  Argentina Hamilton, New Zealand
19:00 NZT Report
Stadium: Waikato Stadium
Attendance: 3,622[11]
Referee: Lara Lee (Australia)
11 April Friendly New Zealand  0–3  Nigeria Antalya, Turkey
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex
Referee: Arda Kardeşler (Turkey)
10 July Friendly New Zealand  2–0  Vietnam Napier, New Zealand
17:30 NZT
Report Stadium: McLean Park
Attendance: 6,215
Referee: Rebecca Durcau (Australia)
14 July Friendly New Zealand  0–1  Italy Auckland, New Zealand
19:00 Report
Stadium: Keith Hay Park
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
20 July FIFA WC Group New Zealand  1–0  Norway Auckland, New Zealand
19:00 NZT
Report Stadium: Eden Park
Attendance: 42,137
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
25 July FIFA WC Group New Zealand  0–1  Philippines Wellington, New Zealand
17:30 NZT Report
Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
Attendance: 32,357
Referee: Katia García (Mexico)
23 September Friendly Chile  3–0  New Zealand Santiago, Chile
19:00 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida
Attendance: 5,341[14]
Referee: Nadia Fuques (Uruguay)
26 September Friendly Chile  2–1  New Zealand Santiago, Chile
11:00 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Quilín Complex
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
5 December Friendly Colombia  1–0  New Zealand Bogotá, Colombia
15:00 UTC−5
Report Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano de Techo
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
Referee: Zulma Quiñónez (Paraguay)

    Coaching staff

    Current coaching staff

    Position Name Ref.
    Head coach Czech Republic Jitka Klimková [15]

    Manager history

    [16]

    Players

    Current squad

    • The following 24 players were named to the squad for two international friendly matches against Colombia on 2 and 5 December 2023, respectively.[39]

    Caps and goals are current as of 2 December 2023 after the match against  Colombia.[40]

    No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
    21 1GK Victoria Esson (1991-03-06) 6 March 1991 20 0 Scotland Rangers
    23 1GK Anna Leat (2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 12 0 England Aston Villa
    1GK Brianna Edwards (2003-01-27) 27 January 2003 0 0 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix
    2 2DF Michaela Foster (1999-01-09) 9 January 1999 9 0 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix
    13 2DF Rebekah Stott (1993-06-17) 17 June 1993 96 4 Australia Melbourne City
    14 2DF Katie Bowen (1994-04-15) 15 April 1994 99 3 Italy Inter Milan
    24 2DF Ally Green (1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 6 0 Denmark AGF
    25 2DF Mackenzie Barry (2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 8 0 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix
    2DF Meikayla Moore (1996-06-04) 4 June 1996 63 4 Scotland Glasgow City
    2DF Grace Neville (2000-04-09) 9 April 2000 6 0 England London City Lionesses
    2DF Kate Taylor (2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 10 0 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix
    6 3MF Malia Steinmetz (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 26 0 Denmark FC Nordsjælland
    8 3MF Daisy Cleverley (1997-04-30) 30 April 1997 32 2 Denmark HB Køge
    12 3MF Betsy Hassett (1990-08-04) 4 August 1990 151 15 Iceland Stjarnan
    18 3MF Grace Jale (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 22 2 Australia Perth Glory
    29 3MF Katie Kitching (1998-11-30) 30 November 1998 1 0 England Sunderland
    3MF Macey Fraser (2002-07-11) 11 July 2002 0 0 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix
    15 4FW Paige Satchell (1998-04-13) 13 April 1998 47 2 England London City Lionesses
    16 4FW Jacqui Hand (1999-02-19) 19 February 1999 18 2 Finland Åland United
    20 4FW Indiah-Paige Riley (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 15 0 Netherlands PSV
    28 4FW Ava Collins (2002-04-18) 18 April 2002 12 0 United States St. John's Red Storm
    4FW Hannah Blake (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 6 0 Australia Adelaide United
    4FW Ruby Nathan (2005-10-11) 11 October 2005 0 0 Australia Canberra United

    Recent call-ups

    The following players have been called up within the last 12 months and remain eligible for selection.

    Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
    GK Erin Nayler (1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 84 0 Germany Bayern Munich 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
    GK Murphy Sheaff (2003-09-12) 12 September 2003 0 0 United States Jacksonville Dolphins v.  Nigeria, 11 April 2023
    GK Lily Alfeld (1995-08-04) 4 August 1995 0 0 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix v.  United States, 18 January 2023INJ
    DF Ali Riley (captain) (1987-10-30) 30 October 1987 159 2 United States Angel City v.  Colombia, 2 December 2023INJ
    DF CJ Bott (1995-04-22) 22 April 1995 42 3 England Leicester City v.  Chile, 23 September 2023
    DF Claudia Bunge (1999-09-21) 21 September 1999 24 0 Denmark HB Køge 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
    DF Elizabeth Anton (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 19 0 Australia Perth Glory 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
    DF Anna Green (1990-08-20) 20 August 1990 82 8 Australia Sydney FC v.  United States, 21 January 2023
    DF Ashleigh Ward (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 4 0 England Southampton v.  United States, 21 January 2023
    DF Rebecca Lake (1999-05-13) 13 May 1999 0 0 New Zealand Canterbury United Pride v.  United States, 21 January 2023
    MF Annalie Longo (1991-07-01) 1 July 1991 133 15 New Zealand Christchurch United v.  Chile, 26 September 2023
    MF Ria Percival (vice-captain) (1989-12-07) 7 December 1989 166 15 England Tottenham Hotspur 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
    MF Olivia Chance (1993-10-05) 5 October 1993 47 2 Scotland Celtic 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
    MF Emma Rolston (1996-11-10) 10 November 1996 15 6 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix v.  United States, 21 January 2023
    MF Jana Radosavljevic (1996-11-04) 4 November 1996 3 0 Turkey Fenerbahçe v.  United States, 21 January 2023
    MF Aniela Jensen (2002-01-22) 22 January 2002 0 0 United States Pacific Tigers v.  United States, 21 January 2023
    FW Hannah Wilkinson (1992-05-28) 28 May 1992 118 29 Australia Melbourne City v.  Chile, 23 September 2023
    FW Gabi Rennie (2001-07-07) 7 July 2001 28 2 United States Arizona State Sun Devils v.  Chile, 26 September 2023
    FW Milly Clegg (2005-11-01) 1 November 2005 4 0 Australia Western Sydney Wanderers v.  Chile, 26 September 2023
    FW Grace Wisnewski (2002-06-28) 28 June 2002 2 0 New Zealand Wellington Phoenix v.  Chile, 26 September 2023
    FW Deven Jackson (1998-04-22) 22 April 1998 1 0 New Zealand Eastern Suburbs v.  United States, 21 January 2023
    FW Tayla O'Brien (1994-07-06) 6 July 1994 1 0 New Zealand Eastern Suburbs v.  United States, 21 January 2023

    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

    [41]

    †Current New Zealand co-captain

    Records

    Bold players are still active.

    Statistics as of 30 July 2023.[41]
    Ria Percival is the most capped player
    Amber Hearn is the all-time top scorer

    Most capped players

    # Player Years Caps Goals
    1 Ria Percival 2006– 166 15
    2 Ali Riley 2007– 157 2
    3 Betsy Hassett 2008– 148 14
    4 Abby Erceg 2006–2022 146 6
    5 Annalie Longo 2006– 131 15
    6 Amber Hearn 2004–2018 125 54
    7 Katie Duncan 2006–2019 124 1
    8 Hannah Wilkinson 2010– 118 29
    9 Rosie White 2009–2021 111 24
    10 Kirsty Yallop 2004–2017 104 12

    Top goalscorers

    # Player Years Goals Caps
    1 Amber Hearn (list) 2004–2018 54 125
    2 Wendy Sharpe 1980–1995 34 51
    Sarah Gregorius 2010–2020 34 100
    4 Hannah Wilkinson 2010– 29 118
    5 Rosie White 2009–2021 24 111
    6 Maureen Jacobson 1979–1996 17 53
    Wendi Henderson 1987–2007 17 64
    8 Pernille Andersen 1998 15 7
    Annalie Longo 2006– 15 131
    Ria Percival 2006– 15 166

    Honours

    Continental

    Champions: 1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018
    Runners-up: 1989, 1994, 1998, 2003
    Champions: 1975

    Competitive record

    FIFA Women's World Cup

    New Zealand's FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
    Year Host Round Pos Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
    1991 ChinaGroup stage11th3003111Squad Qualified4301281
    1995 SwedenDid not qualify 2nd4301102
    1999 United States 2nd4301413
    2003 United States 2nd4301292
    2007 ChinaGroup stage14th300309Squad Qualified3300211
    2011 Germany12th301246Squad Qualified5500500
    2015 Canada19th302123Squad Qualified3300300
    2019 France20th300315Squad Qualified5500430
    2023 Australia,  New Zealand20th311111Squad Qualified as co-hosts
    TotalGroup stage6/91814139353228042529
    FIFA Women's World Cup history
    Year Host Round Date Opponent Result Stadium
    1991  China Group stage17 November DenmarkL 0–3Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou
    19 November NorwayL 0–4Guangdong Provincial Stadium, Guangzhou
    21 November ChinaL 1–4New Plaza Stadium, Foshan
    2007  China Group stage12 September BrazilL 0–5Wuhan Stadium, Wuhan
    15 September DenmarkL 0–2
    20 September ChinaL 0–2Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin
    2011  Germany Group stage27 June JapanL 1–2Ruhrstadion, Bochum
    1 July EnglandL 1–2Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, Dresden
    5 July MexicoD 2–2Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
    2015  Canada Group stage6 June NetherlandsL 0–1Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
    11 June CanadaD 0–0
    15 June ChinaD 2–2Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg
    2019  France Group stage11 June NetherlandsL 0–1Stade Océane, Le Havre
    15 June CanadaL 0–2Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
    20 June CameroonL 1–2Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
    2023  Australia
     New Zealand    		 Group stage20 July NorwayW 1–0Eden Park, Auckland
    25 July PhilippinesL 0–1Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
    30 July SwitzerlandD 0–0Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

    Olympic Games

    Summer Olympics record
    Year Host Round Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
    1996 United StatesDid not qualify
    2000 Australia
    2004 GreeceDid not enter
    2008 ChinaGroup stage301227−51
    2012 United KingdomQuarter-finals410335−23
    2016 BrazilGroup stage310215−43
    2020 JapanGroup stage3003210−80
    TotalQuarter-finals132110827−197

    OFC Women's Nations Cup

    OFC Women's Nations Cup record
    Year Host Result Pld W D L GF GA GD
    1983 New CaledoniaChampions4310243+21
    1986 New ZealandThird place4202330
    1989 AustraliaRunners-up5401101+9
    1991 AustraliaChampions4301281+27
    1994 Papua New GuineaRunners-up4301102+8
    1998 New ZealandRunners-up4301413+38
    2003 AustraliaRunners-up4301292+27
    2007 Papua New GuineaChampions3300211+20
    2010 New ZealandChampions5500500+50
    2014 Papua New GuineaChampions3300300+30
    2018 New CaledoniaChampions5500430+43
    2022 Fiji Did not enter
    Total6 titles45371728916+273

    AFC Women's Asian Cup

    AFC Women's Asian Cup record
    Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
    Invitee
    British Hong Kong 1975Champions1st4400113
    Total1 title1/14400113

    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".[42]

    Portugal Algarve Cup record
    Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD
    20164th place4121220
    20204th place301226−4
    Total2/27713348−4

    SheBelieves Cup

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

    United States SheBelieves Cup record
    Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Coach
    2016 Did not enter
    2017
    2018
    2019
    2020
    2021
    2022 4th301206
    Total1/7301206

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 "Soccer women step out with new name – Football Ferns". Stuff.co.nz. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
    2. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
    3. ↑ "Aotearoa New Zealand". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
    4. ↑ "1975 ASIAN CUP". New Zealand Football on NZfootball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2 September 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
    5. ↑ Diamond, Drew (12 November 2023). "World Cup legacy continues to take effect in Aotearoa-New Zealand". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
    6. ↑ "1975". RSSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
    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. ↑ "Ferns fall to Portugal". New Zealand Football. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
    11. ↑ Rollo, Phillip (20 February 2023). "Football Ferns have goal ruled out in 2–0 defeat to Argentina in Hamilton". Stuff. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
    12. ↑ "Attendances rising for women's football games ahead of FIFA World Cup". friendsoffootballnz.com. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
    13. ↑ "New Zealand–Argentina: Key details and streaming info". FIFA. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
    14. ↑ "Chile 3–0 New Zealand". ESPN. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
    15. ↑ "Ferns coach to take side through to 2023 Women's World Cup revealed". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
    16. ↑ "Coaching Records". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
    17. ↑ "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.
    18. ↑ "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.
    19. 1 2 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 %.
    20. ↑ Riddle, Charles (18 August 2017). "Obituary: Waikato women's football pioneer ahead of his time". Stuff.
    21. ↑ 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.
    22. ↑ 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.
    23. ↑ Maddaford, Terry. "Soccer: Fallon and the Rufers tipped as coaches for Kings". The New Zealand Herald.
    24. ↑ Eriksen, Alanah (6 May 2009). "Ex-All White upset by murder story". The New Zealand Herald.
    25. ↑ "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
    26. ↑ Maddaford, Terry (26 April 2005). "Soccer: New coach draws side from far and wide". The New Zealand Herald.
    27. ↑ 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.
    28. ↑ Brown, Michael (9 December 2006). "Soccer: Allan Jones' last crusade". The New Zealand Herald.
    29. ↑ Maddaford, Terry (1 March 2007). "Soccer: Women's coach quits". The New Zealand Herald.
    30. ↑ Runae\f's, Jeremy. "Herdman Embraces "A Massive Responsibility"".
    31. ↑ "Herdman finishing as Football Ferns coach". Stuff. 2 September 2011.
    32. ↑ "New Football Ferns coach appointed". Radio New Zealand. 14 September 2011.
    33. ↑ Voerman, Andrew (2 November 2017). "Departing Football Ferns coach Tony Readings says time right for him to go". Stuff.
    34. ↑ "Heraf named as new Ferns Coach". New Zealand Football. 20 December 2017.
    35. ↑ "New Zealand women's football coach resigns amid alleged 'toxic culture'". The Guardian. 31 July 2018.
    36. ↑ "Sermanni named as Ferns Head Coach". New Zealand Football. 26 October 2018.
    37. ↑ "Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni steps down". 1116 SEN. 10 June 2021.
    38. ↑ Voerman, Andrew (1 September 2021). "Former age-group coach Jitka Klimková to take charge of Football Ferns until 2027". Stuff.
    39. ↑ "Three new faces in Ford Football Ferns squad to face Colombia this December". 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
    40. ↑ "Caps 'n' Goals". ultimatenzsoccer.com. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
    41. 1 2 "Roll of Honour". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
    42. ↑ "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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