Midfielder Betsy Hassett has called time on her international career, announcing her retirement from the Football Ferns.
Hassett (35) played 160 games for New Zealand, scoring 16 goals, in her 17-year international career.
She was a member of four FIFA Women’s World Cup squads, represented New Zealand at three Olympic Games, and is the third-most-capped Fern of all time.
Acknowledging Hassett’s contribution, NZ Football told social media followers: “A role model in every sense and a Ferns icon through and through. Thank you for everything, Betsy.”
Auckland-born Hassett began playing football at four, and played school football, captaining Avondale College’s girls first team.
She left for the United States in 2009 for three seasons with the California Golden Bears, at the University of California, Berkeley.
Her club career took her to big-name clubs such as Manchester City (UK), Werder Bremen (Germany), Ajax (Netherlands) and Stjarnan (Iceland), and a season in the women’s A-League with the Wellington Phoenix in 2022-23.
Hassett and partner Gummi became parents to son Nói in 2024.
Main photo: Betsy Hassett leads out the Ferns to play Argentina in 2023. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
This story was first published on February 13, 2026.