The 21-player squad selected to represent New Zealand at this month’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar has been announced by head coach Martin Bullock.

New Zealand have been drawn in Group G alongside Mali, Vietnam and Belgium.

The team will open their campaign against familiar foes Mali at 2:30am NZT on 21 November.

It will mark a record fourth encounter between the two at a FIFA U-17 World Cup, with Mali becoming the nation New Zealand has played most in this tournament and follows last year’s group stage encounter. 

The tournament will also feature first-time match ups at U-17 World Cup level with Vietnam and Belgium.

Of the 21 players named, six return from New Zealand’s 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign: Joseph Chalabi, Ethan Dyer, Sean Kane, Will Martin, Matias Nunez and Joe McIntyre.

Today's announcement includes 17 players from the squad that triumphed at the 2025 OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in the Solomon Islands have retained their selections.

The Wellington Phoenix boasts the largest representation in this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup squad, with 11 players selected: Grayson Cattle, Zach Cashmore, Joseph Chalabi, Jack Clegg, Willem Des Tombe, Gethyn Foster, Cailean Hamilton, Joe McIntyre, Cruz Pietersen and Ben Trenberth.

Sena Vesty from Christchurch United has also been developed at the Wellington Phoenix through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS).

Auckland FC contribute four players in Luke Carter, Sean Kane and James Wenceslao, while Santiago Castillo from Melville United is also attached to the A-League club through FIFA’s TDS.

Four players are currently based in Australia: Ethan Dyer, Keigo Shimokawa, Will Martin and John Woldegiorgis while Marc James earns selection from Portuguese side Alverca FC.

FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Squad

Luke Carter - Auckland FC (Avondale College), New Zealand

Grayson Cattle - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Zach Cashmore - Wellington Phoenix (Scots College), New Zealand

Joseph Chalabi - Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa), New Zealand

Jack Clegg - Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa), New Zealand

Willem Des Tombe - Wellington Phoenix (St Patrick's College), New Zealand

Ethan Dyer - Sydney FC, Australia

Gethyn Foster - Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa), New Zealand

Cailean Hamilton - Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa), New Zealand

Marc James - FC Alverca, Portugal

Sean Kane - Auckland FC (St Kentigern College), New Zealand

Will Martin - Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia

Joe McIntyre - Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa), New Zealand

Matias Nunez - Unattached (Rutherford College), New Zealand

Cruz Pietersen - Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa), New Zealand

Keigo Shimokawa - Melbourne Victory FC, Australia

Santiago Castillo - Melville United and Auckland FC (Hamilton Boys' High School), New Zealand

Ben Trenberth - Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa), New Zealand

Sena Vesty - Christchurch United FC and Wellington Phoenix (Burnside High School), New Zealand

James Wenceslao - Auckland FC (Te Kura Correspondence School), New Zealand

John Woldegiorgis - Unattached, Australia

Coach Martin Bullock said a FIFA World Cup is always a special occasion, and this group has worked incredibly hard to earn the opportunity to compete on this stage.

"We know the quality of opposition we're going to face in Qatar, but that's exactly why these tournaments are so important. This group has shown throughout its journey that it embraces challenges, and we're looking forward to seeing how the players perform in a World Cup environment.

"Playing Mali again is a unique opportunity for this group. The experience of facing them at the last World Cup gave us important lessons about what is required at this level. We've grown since then, both individually and collectively, and we're looking forward to testing ourselves against one of the strongest teams in our group.

“We have players returning with World Cup experience, others who have been central to our success at OFC level, and a group that has developed a strong connection on and off the pitch. They're a hardworking, ambitious group and we're looking forward to seeing what they can achieve together in Qatar."

All of New Zealand’s matches at the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be available on FIFA+ via DAZN and TVNZ+.

New Zealand Fixtures:

FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 – Group G

Mali v New Zealand
Saturday 21 November (NZT)
2:30am kick-off
Aspire Zone – Pitch 1, Doha, Qatar

Vietnam v New Zealand
Tuesday 24 November (NZT)
4:30am kick-off
Aspire Zone – Pitch 8, Doha, Qatar

New Zealand v Belgium
Friday 27 November (NZT)
2:00am kick-off
Aspire Zone – Pitch 4, Doha, Qatar

Article added: Tuesday 03 November 2026