New Zealand women's national football team
The New Zealand women's national football team represents New Zealand in international football competitions, and is governed by New Zealand Football. They are nicknamed the Football Ferns.
The New Zealand national team has taken part in the FIFA Women's World Cup six times, making their debut in 1991. New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 World Cup alongside Australia. They have failed to go past the group stage in all occasions.
History
The New Zealand Women's Soccer Association was founded in 1975. By invitation, the team took part in the Asian Women's Championship in 1975 and won the championship. They have since then played in the Oceanic Championship.As Australia left the OFC, New Zealand had no serious and competitive rivals in Oceania. This made New Zealand's qualification to the World Cup and Olympics easier having contested every edition of both tournaments since 2007.
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup along with Australia after being awarded it on 25 June 2020 as the favourites over other bidder Colombia. The Football Ferns automatically qualified as co-hosts. Despite winning their opening match against Norway, their first World Cup win for either a women's or men's World Cup, they suffered a shocking loss to debutants Philippines and later drew with Switzerland in their final match and were eliminated after Norway defeated the Philippines and finished above New Zealand on goal difference. This was the first time the hosts were eliminated from the group stage. They only managed to score one goal during the tournament.Team image
The New Zealand women's national football team are also known by their nickname the "Football Ferns". Like their male counterparts, the team has traditionally worn all white kits. For the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Football Ferns switched to an all black first choice kit reminiscent of the New Zealand national rugby union team, as well as the country's national teams in other sports, including rugby league, field hockey, netball, basketball, volleyball, and limited overs cricket. The away kit pairs the traditional white shirts and socks with turquoise shorts.FIFA world rankings
Worst Ranking Best Ranking Worst Mover Best MoverResults and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.;Legend
2025
2026
- – Soccerway.com
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
Manager history
- Dave Farrington
- Ken Armstrong
- Dave Boardman
- Roy Cox
- Dave Boardman
- Jeff Coulshed
- Nora Watkins
- Maurice Tillotson
- Douglas Moore
- Sandy Davie
- Fred Simpson
- Alison Grant & Wendi Henderson
- Mick Leonard
- John Herdman
- Allan Jones
- John Herdman
- Tony Readings
- Andreas Heraf
- Tom Sermanni
- Jitka Klimková
- Michael Mayne
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Australia on 28 November and 2 December 2025.Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.;Notes
- = Alternate
- = Withdrew due to injury
- = Preliminary squad / standby
- = Retired from the national team
Captains
- Ali Riley – 50 matches
- Abby Erceg – 49 matches
- Rebecca Smith – 45 matches
- Hayley Moorwood – 43 matches
- Barbara Cox – 19 matches
- Terry McCahill – 14 matches
- Marilyn Marshall – 12 matches
- Wendi Henderson – 9 matches
- Maureen Jacobson – 9 matches
- Ali Grant – 6 matches
- Ria Percival – 6 matches
- Leslie King – 5 matches
- Viv Robertson – 5 matches
- Rebekah Stott - 7 matches
Records
Most capped players
Top goalscorers
Honours
Major competitions
- OFC Women's Nations Cup
- AFC Women's Championship
- '''CONCACAF W Championship'''
Competitive record