Head coach Callum Holmes has named his 21-player squad for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, that’ll take place between September 5 – 27.

New Zealand has been placed in Group D alongside Japan, the United States and Italy.

The Kiwis will kick proceedings off against Japan on 7 September at the Władysław Król Municipal Stadium in Łódź. It is the second consecutive time the New Zealand Women have started a FIFA U-20 World Cup against Japan.

Following that, three days later New Zealand takes on Italy at the same stadium on 10 September before they wrap up Group D against the United States on 13 September in Sosnowiec.

Of the 14 members playing domestically, nine feature from the Wellington Phoenix including striker Pia Vlok and goalkeeper Brooke Neary who received Ford Football Ferns call ups earlier this year.

USA college soccer programs account for 5 players with Penny Brill, Amber de Wit, Grace Duncan, Charli Dunn and Poppy O'Brien coming through NCAA pathways.

Nienke Holland comes from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, the only European club in the squad list.

Zoe Benson and Daisy Brazendale have earned selection for a second FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, after they represented New Zealand at the 2024 tournament in Colombia.

The team will report to a pre-tour camp in Poznań, Poland on August 24 before entering the FIFA bubble on September 2.

Coverage of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland will be available on TVNZ+.

The full FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 squad is:

Mikaela Bangalan - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Grace Bartlett - Auckland United, New Zealand

Laura Bennett - Melville United, New Zealand

Zoe Benson - Auckland United x Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Daisy Brazendale - Unattached

Lily Brazendale - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Penny Brill - Xavier University, USA

Amber de Wit - North Dakota State University, USA

Freya Des Fountain - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Grace Duncan - Washington Women's Soccer, USA

Charli Dunn - Middle Tennessee State University, USA

Alyssha Eglinton - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Scarlett Gray - Sydney University, Australia

Mackenzie Greene - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Nienke Holland - AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands

Emily Lyon - West Coast Rangers, New Zealand

Charley March - Auckland United, New Zealand

Charlotte Mortlock - Northern Tigers, Australia

Brooke Neary - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Poppy O'Brien - Colorado State University, USA

Pia Vlok - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

New Zealand U-20 Women's Head Coach Callum Holmes:

"We're excited about the group we've assembled and the opportunity that lies ahead in Poland. This squad brings together players from a variety of environments, whether that's the spending time in the Ford Football Ferns, A-League, domestic game, professional clubs overseas, or the NCAA system in the United States.

“These players have earned the chance to represent New Zealand on the world stage and we're looking forward to seeing them challenge themselves against some of the best young players in the world.

"We've been drawn into a very competitive group. Japan, Italy and the United States are all strong football nations with different strengths and styles of play, so every match will present a unique challenge. Starting against Japan for the second consecutive tournament gives us a familiar benchmark, and we know we'll need to be at our very best if we're going to progress."

MATCH DETAILS FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 – Group D Fixtures:

Japan vs New Zealand

6 September 2026 [local] / 7 September 2026 [NZT]

KO 3pm [local] / 1am [NZT]

Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź, Łódź, Poland

Italy vs New Zealand

9 September 2026 [local] / 10 September 2026 [NZT]

KO 3pm [local] / 1am [NZT]

Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź, Łódź, Poland

New Zealand vs United States

12 September 2026 [local] / 13 September 2026 [NZT]

KO 3pm [local] / 1am [NZT]

Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland

Article added: Monday 17 August 2026