That will do it for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Stay tuned to nzherald.co.nz/sport for more reaction and news following the squad announcement.
That will do it for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Stay tuned to nzherald.co.nz/sport for more reaction and news following the squad announcement.
Another notable inclusion is 17-year-old Wellington Phoenix striker Milly Clegg, who hopes to improve on the Ferns' dreadful scoring record:
Upcoming international friendlies:
Monday 10 July 2023: New Zealand vs Vietnam (5.30pm) - McLean Park, Ahuriri Napier
Upcoming Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 fixtures:
Thursday 20 July 2023: New Zealand vs Norway (7pm) - Eden Park, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Tuesday 25 July 2023: New Zealand vs Philippines (5.30pm) - Wellington Regional Stadium, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Sunday 30 July 2023: New Zealand vs Switzerland (7pm) - Dunedin Stadium, Ōtepoti Dunedin
Annalie Longo has made a full recovery from her ACL injury to make the squad. It's been quite a journey:
Klimková added:
“I believe we have selected a good balance of youth and experience across the squad, from the 10 players making their debuts to other members of the group who have appeared at multiple Fifa Women’s World Cups.
“With the extra motivation and excitement surrounding the event on home soil, we now need the country to get behind the team as we look to inspire our nation and deliver one of our best ever performances at a Fifa Women’s World Cup.”
Klimková said she was proud of the work of all the extended squad during the two-month selection process.
“Firstly, I want to acknowledge all 38 players who have been involved in our training programme leading into the tournament, especially the final group who were part of the process until this week.
"They are all valued members of the Football Ferns whānau, they should feel proud to represent the best footballers in Aotearoa and have given us some very challenging selection decisions to make.
“Congratulations to our final 23 players selected. I have absolute faith they will give everything for our team and the country come July."
No real surprises in the team. Veteran defender Meikayla Moore, who infamously scored an own goal hat-trick last year for the Ferns in their 5-0 defeat to the USA, is the biggest omission in the squad.
Jitka Klimková has named her 23-person squad for the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023.
The side sees 10 players make their World Cup debut.
The full squad is:
Elizabeth Anton (18/0) Perth Glory, Australia*
CJ Bott (37/2) Leicester City, England
Katie Bowen (92/3) Unattached
Claudia Bunge (20/0) Melbourne Victory, Australia*
Olivia Chance (43/2) Celtic, Scotland
Milly Clegg (2/0) Unattached*
Daisy Cleverley (31/2) HB Køge, Denmark
Victoria Esson (14/0) Rangers, Scotland
Michaela Foster (4/0) Unattached*
Jacqui Hand (12/1) Åland United, Finland*
Betsy Hassett (143/13) Stjarnan, Iceland
Grace Jale (17/2) Unattached*
Anna Leat (9/0) Aston Villa, England*
Annalie Longo (127/15) Unattached
Erin Nayler (84/0) IFK Norrköping, Sweden
Ria Percival (161/15) Tottenham Hotspur, England
Gabi Rennie (24/2) Arizona State University, USA*
Ali Riley (152/2) Angel City, USA
Indiah-Paige Riley (7/0) Unattached*
Paige Satchell (42/2) Unattached
Malia Steinmetz (18/0) Unattached*
Rebekah Stott (89/4) Brighton & Hove Albion, England
Hannah Wilkinson (113/28) Melbourne City, Australia
*Fifa Women’s World Cup debut
In addition to the 23 players named, Ava Collins, Meikayla Moore and Kate Taylor will join as training partners for the tournament.
Here's Michaela Foster on what it's like being the daughter of the All Blacks coach.