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New Zealand women's national football team

The New Zealand women's national football team represents New Zealand in international football competitions, and is governed by New Zealand Football (NZF). They are nicknamed the Football Ferns.

The New Zealand national team has taken part in the FIFA Women's World Cup six times, making their debut in 1991. New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 World Cup alongside Australia. They have failed to go past the group stage in all occasions.

History

The New Zealand Women's Soccer Association was founded in 1975. By invitation, the team took part in the Asian Women's Championship in 1975 and won the championship. They have since then played in the Oceanic Championship.

As Australia left the OFC, New Zealand had no serious and competitive rivals in Oceania. This made New Zealand's qualification to the World Cup and Olympics easier having contested every edition of both tournaments since 2007.

2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup along with Australia after being awarded it on 25 June 2020 as the favourites over other bidder Colombia. The Football Ferns automatically qualified as co-hosts. Despite winning their opening match against Norway, their first World Cup win for either a women's or men's World Cup, they suffered a shocking loss to debutants Philippines and later drew with Switzerland in their final match and were eliminated after Norway defeated the Philippines and finished above New Zealand on goal difference. This was the first time the hosts were eliminated from the group stage. They only managed to score one goal during the tournament.

Team image

The New Zealand women's national football team are also known by their nickname the "Football Ferns". Like their male counterparts, the team has traditionally worn all white kits. For the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Football Ferns switched to an all black first choice kit reminiscent of the New Zealand national rugby union team, as well as the country's national teams in other sports, including rugby league, field hockey, netball, basketball, volleyball, and limited overs cricket. The away kit pairs the traditional white shirts and socks with turquoise shorts.

FIFA world rankings

Worst Ranking   Best Ranking   Worst Mover   Best Mover  

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

2025

2026

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Manager history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification third round matches on 12 and 15 April 2026. The first match will be against Fiji. Should the Football Ferns win, they will play the winner of Papua New Guinea versus American Samoa.

Caps and goals correct as of 5 March 2026, after the match against American Samoa.

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

Notes
  • <sup></sup> = Alternate
  • <sup></sup> = Withdrew due to injury
  • <sup></sup> = Preliminary squad / standby
  • <sup></sup> = Retired from the national team

Captains

Records

Players in bold are still active with the national team.

Most capped players

Top goalscorers

Honours

Major competitions

Champions (6): 1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018
Runners-up (4): 1989, 1994, 1998, 2003
Champions: 1975
Runners-up (1): 1993

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

Olympic Games

OFC Women's Nations Cup

AFC Women's Asian Cup

Algarve Cup

The Algarve Cup is an invitational tournament for national teams in women's association football hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious and longest-running women's international football events and has been nicknamed the "Mini FIFA Women's World Cup".

SheBelieves Cup

The SheBelieves Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer hosted in the United States.

See also

References

External links