The New Zealand women's football team is often known as the Football Ferns. They've qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Let's explore the team, their recent campaign, their biggest achievements, and what comes next.
Key Takeaways
- The Football Ferns are New Zealand’s women’s national football team and compete internationally as part of New Zealand Football.³
- Michael Mayne is the current Football Ferns coach and is leading the team through the Brazil 2027 cycle.⁷
- New Zealand qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup by beating Papua New Guinea 1-0 in Auckland.⁴
- The Football Ferns scored 25 goals and conceded none during their 2027 Oceania qualifying campaign.⁹
- One of the team's biggest moments came in 2023, when New Zealand beat Norway 1-0 to win their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup match.²
Who Are the Football Ferns?
The Football Ferns are one of the country's most recognisable national sides. After the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand, their profile grew. They're now an important part of women's football, with a visible pathway from local clubs and leagues to the international stage. The All Whites are the men's team, but here, we're looking at the women's team.
The Football Ferns are the New Zealand women’s national football team and represent Aotearoa New Zealand in international women’s football.³ They compete in Oceania, are coached by Michael Mayne, and are now preparing for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after winning the Oceania qualifying final in Auckland.⁴
Who Plays for the Football Ferns?
So who's in the team? The Football Ferns include players based in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and Europe, which results in a mix of local talent and international experience.⁵ This will be important because the team is preparing for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil 2027.
Goalkeepers
Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Victoria Esson brings senior experience and stability to the Football Ferns squad.⁵
University of Denver goalkeeper Alina Santos is part of the newer goalkeeping group being developed during the Brazil 2027 cycle.⁵
Defenders
Rebekah Stott is one of the Football Ferns' most experienced players and offers leadership in the back line.⁵
Meikayla Moore adds international experience and defensive quality as New Zealand prepares for stronger World Cup opposition.⁵
Claudia Bunge gives the squad another experienced defensive option from the Australian league system.⁵
Liz Anton is a useful defensive presence and was included in the squad for the Oceania qualifiers finals in New Zealand.⁵
Michaela Foster offers versatility and international experience from the left side of the team.⁵
Ally Green returned to the group for the home qualifying finals, adding depth and experience to the squad.⁵
Emma Pijnenburg is part of the newer defensive group and gives the Football Ferns another option from Wellington Phoenix.⁵
Midfielders
Katie Kitching is one of the key names in the current cycle after scoring the goal that sent New Zealand to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.⁴
Grace Jale brings energy, goal threat, and A-League experience to the Football Ferns midfield group.⁵
Kate Taylor adds composure and flexibility, making her one of the important younger players in the squad.⁵
Maya Hahn gives the Football Ferns another midfield option from European club football.⁵
Charlotte Lancaster is one of the newer names to watch as the squad builds depth for Brazil 2027.⁵
Grace Wisnewski adds further depth in midfield and is part of the wider group developing under Michael Mayne.⁵
Hannah Blake offers another attacking midfield option and was included in the home qualifying finals squad.⁵
Forwards
Jacqui Hand is one of the Football Ferns' key attacking players and provides New Zealand with movement in the final third.⁵
Milly Clegg is one of the most exciting young forwards in the squad and will be worth following before Brazil 2027.⁵
Indiah-Paige Riley adds pace, direct running, and attacking threat from wide areas.⁵
Kelli Brown gives the Football Ferns another goal-scoring option in attack.⁵
Gabi Rennie brings senior international experience and depth to New Zealand's forward line.⁵
Deven Jackson adds another attacking option from the Australian league system.⁵
Pia Vlok is one of the rising names in the Football Ferns setup and gives the squad a young attacking option for the future.⁵
Experienced Leaders
Rebekah Stott, Meikayla Moore, and Victoria Esson bring experience and stability to the Football Ferns squad. They give New Zealand a strong spine in defence and goal as the team builds towards Brazil 2027.⁵
Attacking Players
Jacqui Hand, Grace Jale, Milly Clegg, and Indiah-Paige Riley give the Football Ferns pace, movement, and attacking options. This group will be important as New Zealand looks to turn Oceania dominance into stronger performances against teams from other confederations.⁵
Rising Names
Katie Kitching, Charlotte Lancaster, and Pia Vlok are part of the newer group to watch. Kitching already has a major qualifying moment to her name after scoring the goal that sent New Zealand to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.⁴
Who Is the Football Ferns Coach?
The Football Ferns' players are now being led by a New Zealand coach with experience inside the national setup. This is definitely important in the lead-up to a World Cup. Michael Mayne's role will be to oversee squad choices, friendly matches, and player development, and ultimately define how New Zealand approaches Brazil 2027.
Info: Michael Mayne is the current head coach of the Football Ferns. He was confirmed permanently in May 2025 and is leading the team through the Brazil 2027 cycle. NZ Football described his appointment as notable because he became the first New Zealand-born Football Ferns head coach in more than 20 years.⁷
How Did the Football Ferns Qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup?
New Zealand were Oceania's strongest women's football nation. They were clear favourites to reach Brazil 2027. They had a long history in the World Cup. Still, they needed to prove themselves in a short, high-pressure regional competition.
New Zealand qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup by beating Papua New Guinea 1-0 at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Katie Kitching scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, securing the Football Ferns’ place at their seventh FIFA Women’s World Cup.⁴
The Football Ferns are World Cup regulars. Their most recent memorable moment was the 1-0 victory in Auckland.² With qualification for Brazil 2027, they'll want to continue making memories for the fans.
times for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The qualification campaign was dominant from start to finish. The Football Ferns controlled the matches, scoring freely and conceding none. The team is the benchmark in Oceania, but they have to face stronger opponents in the tournament.
goals and conceded none during their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifying campaign.⁹
What Are the Football Ferns’ Biggest Achievements?
The Football Ferns aren't perhaps the most successful team in the world, but they've had their moments. They regularly feature in the Olympics and dominate Oceania. They're one of the most established sides in the region, but they'll always have their eyes on beating opponents from all over the world.
New Zealand’s First FIFA Women’s World Cup Win
The greatest moments for the Football Ferns came at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. They beat Norway in the 1-0 opening match in Auckland. Hannah Wilkinson scored the winning goal. The special result took place on home soil in front of a record crowd of 42,137.²
Oceania Success
The OFC Women's Nations Cup was first held in 1983, and New Zealand won the inaugural edition.¹⁰
The Football Ferns have won the OFC Women's Nations Cup six times, more than any other country in the competition's history.¹⁰
New Zealand confirmed their place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup by beating Papua New Guinea 1-0 in the Oceania qualifying final.⁴
During the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup Oceania qualifiers, New Zealand scored 25 goals and conceded none.⁹
Olympic Games Appearances
The Football Ferns have represented New Zealand at multiple Olympic Games, giving the team experience against some of the world's strongest women's football nations.
New Zealand named a women's football squad for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, continuing the Football Ferns' presence on the Olympic stage.⁸
Olympic football gives the Football Ferns valuable matches outside Oceania, where they can test themselves against teams from Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa.
The Football Ferns' Olympic appearances also help raise the profile of NZ women's football, giving young players another international tournament to follow alongside the FIFA Women's World Cup.
What’s Next for NZ Women’s Football?
The Football Ferns now have to play regular matches against more representative opposition, and FIFA's women's world rankings provide supporters with a useful benchmark for tracking their progress throughout the Brazil 2027 cycle.¹ They have friendly fixtures lined up in preparation for the World Cup. The goal is still taking that next step from regional dominance to more meaningful victories, much like what the All Whites players will be thinking before the 2026 World Cup.
Upcoming International Matches
The Football Ferns are set to face Haiti in Málaga, Spain, as part of their first international window after qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.⁶
New Zealand will also play Morocco in Spain, giving Michael Mayne's squad another useful test against a team from outside Oceania.⁶
NZ Football says these fixtures will be the Football Ferns' first senior international matches against either Haiti or Morocco.⁶
These matches will help show how the squad is developing after a dominant Oceania qualifying campaign, ahead of the longer build-up to Brazil 2027.
Building Towards Brazil 2027
The Football Ferns' current cycle includes experienced players such as Rebekah Stott, Meikayla Moore, and Victoria Esson, alongside newer names like Katie Kitching, Charlotte Lancaster, and Pia Vlok.⁵
Michael Mayne is leading the team through the Brazil 2027 cycle after being confirmed as head coach in May 2025.⁷
New Zealand dominated Oceania qualifying, scoring 25 goals and conceding none, but the next challenge is performing against stronger teams from other confederations.
After securing a seventh appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Football Ferns can use the next cycle to build towards a more competitive campaign in Brazil.⁴
References
- FIFA. “FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking.” FIFA, 21 Apr. 2026, https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/women. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Football. “Ferns Open World Cup Campaign with First Ever Win.” NZ Football, 20 July 2023, https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/130837?newsfeedId=1525444. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Football. “Ford Football Ferns.” NZ Football, https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/ford-football-ferns. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Football. “Ford Football Ferns Earn Ticket to 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.” NZ Football, 15 Apr. 2026, https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/164749?newsfeedId=1275608. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Football. “Ford Football Ferns Squad Named for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Oceania Qualifiers Finals in New Zealand.” NZ Football, 19 Mar. 2026, https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/163813?newsfeedId=2064762. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Football. “Ford Football Ferns to Face Haiti and Morocco in Spain This June.” NZ Football, 7 May 2026, https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/165460?newsfeedId=2064762. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Football. “Michael Mayne Named Ford Football Ferns Head Coach.” NZ Football, 23 May 2025, https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/153723. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- New Zealand Olympic Team. “New Zealand Women’s Football Team Announced for Paris 2024.” New Zealand Olympic Team, 4 July 2024, https://olympic.org.nz/news/new-zealand-women-s-football-team-announced-for-paris-2024. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- Oceania Football Confederation. “Kitching Header Secures New Zealand’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualification.” Oceania Football Confederation, 15 Apr. 2026, https://www.oceaniafootball.com/kitching-header-secures-new-zealands-fifa-womens-world-cup-2027-qualification/. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- Oceania Football Confederation. “OFC Women’s Nations Cup.” Oceania Football Confederation, https://www.oceaniafootball.com/history-ofc-womens-nations-cup/. Accessed 18 May 2026.
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