New Caledonia ready to join New Zealand at FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

On Aug 17, 2026

New Caledonia will make their debut at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next month, joining New Zealand as the second Oceania representative at the tournament.

New Zealand qualified by winning the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship last year, while New Caledonia also qualified as runners-up at the tournament in Tahiti.

READ MORE: They’re through! New Zealand qualify for 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup >>>>

New Zealand will aim to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2012. The 2026 edition will be New Zealand’s 10th appearance.

READ MORE: New Zealand squad named for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland >>>>

By contrast, coach Léon Waitronyie’s New Caledonia side will make their first appearance at the U-20 tournament, matching the achievement of their men’s team who reached last year’s FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup for the first time.

While most of the New Caledonia squad play for domestic clubs, central defender and captain Kamen Lorenda Simane has played for the French club FC Nantes and has already been capped at the full international level.

Main photo: New Caledonia … ready for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Photo credit: OFC Media.

New Caledonia squad

Goalkeepers

Elisabeth Aben
Muneiko Waheo
Kelia Golitin

Defenders

Louane Poccoue
Leana Hmae
Valerie Ngazo
Alesie Adjou
Kamen Lorenda Simane
Kenza Kenon
Emmanuelle Buama
Shirley Wenessia

Midfielders

Kheimera Gondou
Matha Bako
Cecilia Waheo
Deyanera Michel

Forwards

Julia Honakoko
Joyce-Rose Angexetine
Jocelyne Kourevi
Kane Dralue
Aziliz Naaoutchoue

Who New Caledonia will face

New Caledonia will play 2022 champions Spain in their group. They’ll also face Nigeria and China PR, both of which have finished runners-up twice.

The groups

Group A: Poland, Mexico, Argentina, Benin
Group B: Brazil, England, Canada, Tanzania
Group C: France, Korea Republic, Ghana, Ecuador
Group D: Japan, United States, New Zealand, Italy
Group E: Korea DPR, Colombia, Costa Rica, Portugal
Group F: Spain, Nigeria, China PR, New Caledonia

Oceania’s other representative at the tournament, New Caledonia, will play 2022 champions Spain. They’ll also face Nigeria and China PR, both of which have finished runners-up twice.

New Zealand qualified by winning the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship last year, while New Caledonia also qualified as runners-up at the tournament in Tahiti.

READ MORE: They’re through! New Zealand qualify for 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup >>>>

Fixtures

Game to be played on Monday September 7, 2026 (NZT)

New Caledonia v China PR
Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, 11pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Tuesday September 8, 2026 (NZT)

Spain v Nigeria
Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, 2am (NZT)

Games to be played on Friday September 11, 2026

Spain v New Caledonia
Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, 1am (NZT)

China PR v Nigeria
Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, 4am (NZT)

Game to be played September 13, 2026 (NZT)

China PR v Spain
Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, 11pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Monday September 14, 2026 (NZT)

Nigeria v New Caledonia
Stadion Miejski ŁKS, Łódź, 1am (NZT)

How the tournament format works

The top two teams in each group qualify for the Round of 16, along with the four third-placed teams with the best performance in their groups.

From the Round of 16 to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, the games are knockout, with extra time and penalties, if necessary, used to find winners.

This story was first published on August 18, 2026.