New Zealand Names Squad for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024

New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 has been unveiled, with the tournament set to begin on October 17 in the Dominican Republic. Head coach Alana Gunn has selected 21 players, with 18 based in New Zealand and three currently playing overseas in Australia and England.

Among the squad are 13 players who were part of the team that secured their spot in the World Cup by winning the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2023 in Tahiti. Notable among them is Laura Bennett, the tournament’s golden boot winner with 10 goals.

Full Squad:

• Mikaela Bangalan – Fencibles United, New Zealand
• Grace Bartlett – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
• Laura Bennett – Melville United, New Zealand
• Mary Brown – FC Bulleen Lions, Australia
• Sophie Campbell – Hamilton Wanderers, New Zealand
• Katie Chellenbron – Milton Keynes Dons, England
• Amber De Wit – Nomads United, New Zealand
• Charli Dunn – Western Springs, New Zealand
• Alyssha Eglinton – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
• Emily Humphrey – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
• Ela Jerez – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
• Millee Loxton – Fencibles United, New Zealand
• Charley March – Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
• Kyra Morgan – Western Suburbs, New Zealand
• Harriet Muller – Moturoa, New Zealand
• Brooke Neary – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
• Katie Pugh – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
• Maddison Sawkins – Gungahlin United, Australia
• Hannah Saxon – Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand
• Pia Vlok – Auckland United, New Zealand
• Natalie Young – Hamilton Wanderers, New Zealand

Coach’s Statement:

Head coach Alana Gunn expressed her excitement for the tournament, saying, “It is going to be a privilege to lead the team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and I’m really pleased with the squad we have assembled after a competitive selection process.”

She added, “Having a number of players who participated in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship last month has been great preparation, and we’re ready to build on that momentum. We’re determined to proudly represent Aotearoa New Zealand in the Dominican Republic.”

Group Stage Matches:

New Zealand has been drawn into Group A, where they will face hosts Dominican Republic, Ecuador (making their tournament debut), and Nigeria, who finished third in 2022.

• New Zealand vs. Nigeria – 17 October (9am NZT)
• New Zealand vs. Dominican Republic – 20 October (12pm NZT)
• New Zealand vs. Ecuador – 23 October (12pm NZT)

All of New Zealand’s group stage matches will be played at CFC Stadium in Santiago De Los Caballeros. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for November 4.

Fans can watch the entire tournament live and free on FIFA+.

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