Four nations have their sights set on one ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ as the third and final stage of the Oceania Qualifiers get underway in New Zealand this weekend.
Amongst them are a cast of the region’s top women’s talent, each looking to make their mark as crunch time arrives in the qualification process.
We’ve picked one player from each of the four remaining teams to watch out for, with the winning nation set to book their global finals in Brazil, and the runner-up securing a second chance through the intercontinental play-offs.
Kelli Brown | New Zealand
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Born in Ngāhinapōuri, a rural community 15km south of Hamilton, Kelli Brown will be returning to familiar soil for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers Round 3 semi-finals, having starred for New Zealand during Round 2 of the qualification process in Honiara in February.
Brown scored her first senior international goal for the Football Ferns and completed a hat-trick in an 8-0 victory over Samoa during Round 2, before taking her tally to four in a New Zealand shirt with one more in a 3-0 win over American Samoa.
Brown currently plays her club football for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League women’s competition and was also a member of the New Zealand U-17 squad who famously finished third at FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2018™.
She’ll be eager to continue her fine international form in front of family and friends at home, as New Zealand close in on a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ spot.
Betty Sam | Papua New Guinea
Age: 33
Position: Goalkeeper
One of two teams yet to concede in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers alongside New Zealand, Papua New Guinea have goalkeeper Betty Sam to thank for their stellar rearguard effort through the campaign so far.
The veteran goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in all three of the Bilums victories during Round 2 as they topped Group B.
Sam was also part of the Papua New Guinea squad for their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ qualifying campaign and started in their 2-0 defeat to Panama in their intercontinental play-off semi-final in Auckland.
Now three years later, Sam returns to the scene of that qualifying campaign as Papua New Guinea look to rewrite history again in search of their first appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™.
Anaiyah Tu’ua
Age: 24
Position: Defender
Previously playing as a guard for the California Baptist University women’s basketball team, Anaiyah Tu’ua recently returned to football alongside her twin sister, and captained American Samoa during Round 2 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers campaign – after making her international debut last November.
Anaiyah is joined by twin sister Aaliyah in the national team, both of whom grew up together in California and have taken the step up to international level for the first time during American Samoa’s qualifying campaign.
The pair have settled in superbly under coach Amanda Cromwell, starting all five of American Samoa’s matches through the campaign together so far.
Anaiyah will be out to continue American Samoa’s fairytale run during Round 3 in New Zealand, as they enter uncharted territory in World Cup qualifying and OFC competition in pursuit of a maiden global finals appearance.
Sofi Diyalowai
Age: 32
Position: Midfielder
A stalwart for the Fijian Kulas in recent years, Sofi Diyalowai lit up Round 2 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers with three goals – including the winner against Vanuatu, and two against New Caledonia.
Diyalowai made her international debut for Fiji in 2018 and is appearing in her third FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification campaign, having finished runners-up in each of the previous two against New Zealand in 2018, and Papua New Guinea in 2022.
The 32-year-old plays her club football for Labasa, appearing at both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the OFC Women’s Champions League.
Fiji will have to spur an upset to get past New Zealand in the semi-finals, but Diyalowai will be eager to get revenge for previous defeats at the final qualification stage this time around.
Tickets & How to Watch
Buy your tickets for Round 3 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers HERE
Watch the action in New Zealand on FIFA+ HERE