Ford Football Ferns Launch 2027 World Cup Cycle

Interim head coach Michael Mayne has signaled a bold new direction for the Ford Football Ferns, naming three debutants and five uncapped players in his first 23-player squad of 2025. The selection, announced ahead of New Zealand’s February friendlies against Costa Rica, blends youthful promise with veteran leadership as the Ferns begin their four-year march toward the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Debutants with Pedigree

Mayne’s squad includes three fresh faces with ties to his past success:

• Kelli Brown (Perth Glory): A dynamic forward whose pace terrorized A-League Women’s defenses this season.
• Geo Candy (Melbourne Victory): A commanding goalkeeper lauded for her reflexes and distribution.
• Maya Hahn (FFC Turbine Potsdam): A technically gifted midfielder who recently committed to New Zealand after rising through Germany’s youth ranks.

Notably, all three were part of Mayne’s bronze medal-winning U-17 squad at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup—a connection the coach emphasized as pivotal. “They understand my philosophy,” Mayne told pitchside.hq. “Now it’s about translating that to senior success.”

Squad Composition: Experience Meets Evolution

The 23-player group balances continuity and renewal:

• Veterans: Annalie Longo (136 caps) and Meikayla Moore (67 caps) anchor a leadership core.
• Emerging Stars: Wellington Phoenix’s Manaia Elliott (19) and Feyenoord’s Emma Pijnenburg (20) earn call-ups despite being uncapped, reflecting Mayne’s emphasis on long-term development.
• Tactical Flexibility: Versatile players like Indiah-Paige Riley (Crystal Palace) and Kate Taylor (Dijon FCO) offer options across multiple systems.

Full Squad Breakdown

• Goalkeepers: Geo Candy (debut), Brianna Edwards (1 cap), Victoria Esson (24 caps)
• Defenders: Liz Anton (19), Mackenzie Barry (20), Claudia Bunge (31), Grace Neville (10), Kate Taylor (21)
• Midfielders: Maya Hahn (debut), Michaela Foster (22), Macey Fraser (6), Katie Kitching (14), Annalie Longo (136), Ruby Nathan (5), Emma Pijnenburg (0)
• Forwards: Kelli Brown (debut), Hannah Blake (6), Milly Clegg (12), Manaia Elliott (0), Jacqui Hand (31), Grace Jale (34), Indiah-Paige Riley (27)

Mayne’s Vision: Building a “Different” Ferns

In his first media address since taking the interim role post-Olympics, Mayne outlined a transformative agenda:

• Style Evolution: “We want to be more threatening, more exciting on the ball. A team that feels different in how we win.”
• Depth Testing: With 40 players monitored, these friendlies aim to “create competition” ahead of 2027.
• System Experiments: Expect tactical tweaks, including high-pressing setups and fluid attacking rotations.

“This cycle isn’t about incremental growth—it’s about reimagining our identity,” Mayne asserted.

Costa Rica Tests: First Steps Toward 2027

The Ferns face Costa Rica (FIFA #43) in a double-header at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto:

• Match 1: Sunday, 23 February, 1 PM NZT
• Match 2: Wednesday, 26 February, 11 AM NZT

Key Storylines to Watch:

1. Candy’s Chance: With Esson (33) nearing career twilight, can the 22-year-old stake her claim as heir apparent?
2. Midfield Chemistry: How will Hahn’s Bundesliga experience mesh with Fraser’s NWSL grit?
3. Longo’s Leadership: The Ferns’ most-capped player remains critical to bridging generations.

The Bigger Picture
New Zealand’s 2027 World Cup hosting bid adds urgency to Mayne’s project. While results matter, these friendlies are less about winning and more about answering three questions:

1. Can the Ferns develop a reliable goal-scoring threat beyond Hand and Clegg?
2. Will the defense—which conceded 10 goals in 2023—tighten its high-line discipline?
3. Is Mayne the long-term solution, or is NZ Football eyeing a bigger-name hire post-Costa Rica?

Stat to Note: The squad averages just 24 caps per player—a 33% drop from the 2023 World Cup roster.