The squad for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 has been announced, set to kick off on 17 October in the Dominican Republic.

Head coach Alana Gunn has named 21 players, with 18 based in Aotearoa New Zealand and three playing overseas in Australia and England.

Thirteen players selected were part of the side that won the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2023 in Tahiti to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024, including Laura Bennett who won the tournament’s golden boot award with 10 goals. 

The full squad is:

Mikaela Bangalan - Fencibles United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Grace Bartlett - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Laura Bennett - Melville United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Mary Brown - FC Bulleen Lions, Australia
Sophie Campbell - Hamilton Wanderers, Aotearoa New Zealand
Katie Chellenbron - Milton Keynes Dons, England
Amber De Wit - Nomads United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Charli Dunn - Western Springs, Aotearoa New Zealand
Alyssha Eglinton - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Emily Humphrey - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ela Jerez - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Millee Loxton - Fencibles United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Charley March - Hibiscus Coast, Aotearoa New Zealand
Kyra Morgan - Western Suburbs, Aotearoa New Zealand
Harriet Muller - Moturoa, Aotearoa New Zealand
Brooke Neary - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Katie Pugh - Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Maddison Sawkins - Gungahlin United, Australia
Hannah Saxon - Eastern Suburbs, Aotearoa New Zealand
Pia Vlok - Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Natalie Young - Hamilton Wanderers, Aotearoa New Zealand

Head coach Alana Gunn said:

“It is going to be a privilege to lead the team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and I’m really pleased with the squad we have assembled after a competitive selection process. 

“Having a number of the squad be part of the group for the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2024 last month has been good preparation for us, so we are looking to continue building on that momentum and challenging ourselves at the highest level. 

“We know Aotearoa New Zealand has obviously done great things at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup so we want this generation to take inspiration from that success and we look to proudly represent the country in Dominican Republic.”

Aotearoa New Zealand has been drawn in Group A at the tournament alongside hosts Dominican Republic, tournament debutants Ecuador, and 2022 bronze medallists Nigeria. 

The team will open against Nigeria on 17 October (KO 9am NZT), before facing Dominican Republic on 20 October (KO 12pm NZT), and Ecuador on 23 October (KO 12pm NZT). 

All of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Group A games will be played at CFC Stadium in Santiago De Los Caballeros. 

The top two teams in the four groups of four will progress to the quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals and final set to be played on 4 November (KO 11am NZT). 

All of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup can be watched live and free on FIFA+. 


Article added: Thursday 03 October 2024