OFC U-19 Women’s Championship

OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023, Final, Fiji v New Zealand, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji, Saturday 8th July 2023. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz

The 10th edition of the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship took place in 2023 and doubled as qualification for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ in Colombia. It was the first edition of the tournament to be played after the COVID-19 pandemic, and was hosted by Fiji, with the matches split between venues in Lautoka and Suva.

The tournament also reverted back to an under-20 age restriction for the first time since 2015.

One of OFC’s smallest Member Associations the Cook Islands had a standout tournament and reached the semi-finals where they put up a brave fight against New Zealand who won 5-0 to book their place in the Championship decider.

OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023, Tahiti v Cook Islands, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji, Sunday 25th June 2023. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz

Hosts Fiji defeated Samoa 3-1 in the other semi-final to set up a showdown against the Kiwis.

OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023, Semi Final 1, Samoa v Fiji, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji, Wednesday 5th July 2023. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz

Two goals each from Manaia Elliott and Ruby Nathan ensured New Zealand resumed their dominance of the competition with a 7-0 victory in the final, claiming their eighth consecutive OFC U-20 Women’s Championship title.

OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2023, Final, Fiji v New Zealand, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji, Saturday 8th July 2023. Photo: Kirk Corrie / www.phototek.nz

FIFA later announced two teams from Oceania would compete at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to be hosted in Colombia meaning Fiji joined New Zealand in qualifying for the showpiece event.