A group of young designers from Auckland’s Mount Roskill Intermediate School will see their creativity showcased on the global stage after creating New Zealand’s jersey for the Design FC project ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The initiative invited participating World Cup nations to create a football-inspired design representing their country. With support from Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), Mount Roskill Intermediate students were selected to bring New Zealand’s story to life through art, culture and football.
Lead designer Zeno Bridges, 12, said the experience had been both rewarding and memorable.
“It means a lot to me for our art because I really love art and I’m really proud to be the leader,” he said.
The design reflects New Zealand’s diverse identity and connection to Oceania. At its centre sits a Niho Taniwha pattern representing strength, unity and connection, containing 13 triangles symbolising OFC’s 11 member associatioons and two associates.
“It’s really cool having your art turn real,” Bridges said.
The jersey will be displayed in New York as part of a global exhibition linked to the FIFA World Cup™, giving the students’ work an international audience.
“It means so much to me to be a part of it, to help design it, represent my school and put our school on the world stage, representing my family, my school, my community,” fellow designer Abbie Miller said.
The students of Mount Roskill Intermediate in central Auckland embraced the opportunity to tell their story through design. Principal Kristen Walsham said the project reflected the diversity of both the school and Oceania.
“Our kids have loved connecting art and creativity, finding ways to tell our stories and share them with the rest of the world.”
“The things that are important to us as a school, as a Mt Roskill community, as Aotearoa New Zealand and as Oceania have all come through in the design.”
Teacher-in-charge Alyssa Golding said the students spent months developing and refining their ideas, to ensure the jersey reflected New Zealand’s people, cultures and identity.
“It was a journey that took them a long time, but it was very rewarding for them and they’re very happy with the outcome.
“With the World Cup and the opportunity to create a shirt that’s going to be part of FIFA and the World Cup, they’re excited to feel like they’re part of that.”
Parker said the initiative encouraged students to discover talents outside football while developing qualities such as perseverance, resilience, pride and leadership.
“What this project represented was young people starting to look into themselves and their own abilities that are beyond sport.”
“Football has the power to go beyond the field and bring other dreams to life,” Parker said.
He said the students combined creativity, culture and storytelling to produce a design that reflects both New Zealand’s diversity and Oceania’s shared connections.
“It’s brought young people together through other creative abilities, not only as sportspeople, but through academics, art and craft, and cultural preservation.”
World Football Giving Day
This story has been published as part of OFC’s World Football Giving Day campaign. The Oceania Football Confederation is joining World Football Giving Day on May 26, a global movement bringing together the football community around solidarity, generosity, and giving back.
Created by Common Goal, World Football Giving Day is a shared global moment where players, clubs, organisations, fans, brands and communities come together under the message that “Football Shows Its Heart.”
To support, head to www.worldfootballgivingday.org and donate to any of the organisations in any of the 90+ countries. You can also post using the WFGD hashtag #WeAreIn or use the heart gesture as a symbol of solidarity and connection.