WATCH: Squad set for tough group challenge at FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

On Aug 18, 2026

Members of the New Zealand squad are ‘ready for the challenge’ of playing at September’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

“We’ve been drawn into a very competitive group,” says head coach Callum Holmes.

“Japan, Italy and the United States are all strong football nations with different strengths and styles of play, so every match will present a unique challenge. Starting against Japan for the second consecutive tournament gives us a familiar benchmark, and we know we’ll need to be at our very best if we’re going to progress.”

Centre back Alyssha Eglinton and goalkeeper Brooke Neary say they are ready to go up against strong teams, and say it’s an honour to represent their country at the global tournament.

Main photo: Alyssha Eglinton … ‘ready for the challenge’.

Watch interviews with Alyssha Eglinton and Brooke Neary

New Zealand squad

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

Mikaela Bangalan – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Grace Bartlett – Auckland United, New Zealand
Laura Bennett – Melville United, New Zealand
Zoe Benson – Auckland United x Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Daisy Brazendale – Unattached
Lily Brazendale – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Penny Brill – Xavier University, United States
Amber de Wit – North Dakota State University, United States
Freya Des Fountain – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Grace Duncan – Washington Women’s Soccer, United States
Charli Dunn – Middle Tennessee State University, United States
Alyssha Eglinton – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Scarlett Gray – Sydney University, Australia
Mackenzie Greene – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nienke Holland – AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands
Emily Lyon – West Coast Rangers, New Zealand
Charley March – Auckland United, New Zealand
Charlotte Mortlock – Northern Tigers, Australia
Brooke Neary – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Poppy O’Brien – Colorado State University, United States
Pia Vlok – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Who New Zealand will face

New Zealand will face three-time champions the United States in their group at the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Poland.

The New Zealanders will also play former world champions Japan and Italy in the four-nation Group D at the tournament to be staged from September 5-27, 2026, across four Polish host cities — Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Łódź and Sosnowiec.

United States

World U-20 champions in 2002, 2008 and 2012.
Qualified for 11 previous FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups.

Japan

World U-20 champions in 2018.
Qualified for eight previous FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups.

Italy

Never progressed past the group stage.
Qualified for two previous FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups.

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 >>>>

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

Fixtures

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

Japan v New Zealand
Stadion Miejski LKS, Lódz, 1am (NZT)

United States v Italy
Stadion Miejski LKS, Lódz, 4am (NZT)

Games to be played on Thursday September 10, 2026 (NZT)

Italy v New Zealand
Stadion Miejski LKS, Lódz, 1am (NZT)

Japan v United States
Stadion Miejski LKS, Lódz, 4am (NZT)

Games to be played September 13, 2026 (NZT)

Italy v Japan
Stadion Miejski LKS, Lódz, 1am (NZT)

New Zealand v United States
Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, 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 19, 2026.