Appearing at a tenth consecutive FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, New Zealand will be attempting to build on their extensive experience at the tournament when they take to the field at this year’s edition in Poland.
Not since a 1-0 group stage victory over Ghana at the 2016 edition have they tasted success at the tournament though, and drawn alongside former champions USA and Japan in a challenging group in Poland, achieving three points here will be easier said than done.
“Our aim is to make sure we are competitive in every game and give the players a platform to show their ability”, says head coach Callum Holmes. “We know we are in a tough group, but we are fully prepared!”
The Junior Football Ferns play the first two matches of their campaign against Japan and Italy in Lodz, also the venue for the final, before moving south for their final group fixture with the USA in Sosnowiec.
Paired against some of the world’s elite women’s football national programs, New Zealand will start as heavy underdogs in Group D but could spring a surprise if they play their cards right.
How they Qualified
New Zealand qualified with a ninth continental title at OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2025 in Tahiti last year, defeating New Caledonia 3-0 in the final.
They scored 33 goals without conceding across the course of their five-match campaign, the second consecutive continental championships where they haven’t conceded a single goal on their way to the title.
Tournament History
One of eight nations to have qualified for ten or more FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup’s, New Zealand have struggled to make their mark on the big stage.
They have just five wins from 28 matches at the tournament, the last of which came against Ghana in 2016. Of those five, two have been against South American opposition, and one each against European, African, and Central American nations. They have never beaten an Asian opponent.
The Junior Football Ferns have reached the knockout stage before though, qualifying for the quarter-finals in Canada in 2014, before losing to Nigeria.
At the last edition of the tournament in 2024, New Zealand finished bottom of their group with three defeats to Japan, Austria, and Ghana.
The Coach: Callum Holmes
Appointed in May 2025, head coach Callum Holmes will be taking charge of New Zealand at his first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Holmes previously served as an assistant coach for the Wellington Phoenix A-League Women’s side and is unbeaten in his five competitive matches at the helm of the U-20 national team so far.
The Squad
Eight of the New Zealand squad play their club football outside of the country, whilst a further eight are associated with the nation’s only professional club, Wellington Phoenix.
“We believe our biggest strength is the collective,” says head coach Holmes. “We have a great group who are extremely close, and our team spirit is something we pride ourselves on.”
13 of the 21-player squad also featured in the New Zealand line-up for last year’s OFC U-19 Women’s Championship final, adding a degree of continuity.
They have had the vital opportunity to spend time in camp as a group again this year too, travelling to Australia for a two-match series in March, and playing a further two friendlies prior to the start of the tournament in Poland.
Players to Watch
Pia Vlok
The only member of the squad to have been capped at senior international level by the Football Ferns, 18-year-old forward Pia Vlok is one of the younger members of the squad, but already one of the most experienced.
She plays her club football for the Wellington Phoenix and won the A-League Women’s Young Player of the Year Award in 2026, whilst also featuring in the A-League Women’s All-Star team to play Chelsea. Vlok won the Golden Ball at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024 as well and has previously won two OFC Women’s Champions League titles with Auckland United.
Zoe Benson
Another young star of New Zealand women’s football, Zoe Benson will be appearing in her second consecutive FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, playing in all three of their group stage matches at the 2024 tournament in Colombia.
She recently won her second OFC Women’s Champions League title with Auckland United earlier this year and was also the Golden Ball recipient at OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2025. Like Vlok, she was a member of the Wellington Phoenix squad that made the A-League Women’s final last season.
Match Schedule
Japan v New Zealand | 1am NZT, Monday 7th September | Stadion LKS, Lodz
Italy v New Zealand | 1am NZT, Thursday 10th September | Stadion LKS, Lodz
New Zealand v USA | 1am NZT, Sunday 12th September | Zaglebie Sports Park, Sosnowiec
How to Watch
All matches at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ 2026 will be available to watch live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN.
Supporters can watch by signing in to DAZN with a FIFA ID. If you don’t already have one, you can create a FIFA ID during the sign-in process.