English women’s champions Chelsea have named a 28-player squad packed with internationals for their tour match against an Auckland FC invitational squad at Eden Park.
The London club will play the Auckland squad on Saturday August 8, 2026, and then meet the Women’s A-League All Stars in Sydney four days later.
England internationals Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Lauren James headline the touring party. They are joined by Scotland captain Erin Cuthbert, United States defender Naomi Girma and Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe.
Australian defender Ellie Carpenter will enjoy a homecoming after joining Chelsea from Lyon during the European summer. United States winger Alyssa Thompson is another recent signing included for the Oceania tour.
The Auckland FC invitational squad, to be coached by former Football Ferns goalkeeper Jenny Bindon, includes nine past and present Ferns, three American guest players and eight players from local clubs.
READ MORE: Auckland FC complete invitational squad to face Chelsea at Eden Park >>>>
Kadeisha Buchanan.
Auckland FC plan to join the women’s A-League for the 2027-28 season. Their entry to the competition was delayed two years after the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) sought to address economic factors and review the competition.
The Chelsea squad boasts a wealth of international experience.
Canada’s Kadeisha Buchanan is their most capped player with more than 170 appearances, followed by England defender Lucy Bronze with more than 140.
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has made more than 110 appearances, while Australia’s Carpenter and England midfielder Walsh have each played more than 90 senior internationals.
Chelsea’s midfield again underlines the club’s strength in depth.
Walsh, Cuthbert, Wieke Kaptein and Germany international Sjoeke Nüsken are all included, while Italy midfielder Giulia Dragoni continues her development after arriving from Barcelona.
The attack features James alongside Colombia striker Mayra Ramírez, France internationals Melvine Malard and Sandy Baltimore, Japan’s Maika Hamano and England forward Aggie Beever-Jones.
The touring party also includes several emerging players expected to gain valuable senior experience. Goalkeeper Katie Cox, defenders Chloe Sarwie and Nelly Las, and midfielders Lola Brown and Lexi Potter are among the younger members of the squad.
Chelsea squad
Player, age, nationality
Goalkeepers
Hannah Hampton, 25, England
Livia Peng, 24, Switzerland
Becky Spencer, 35, Jamaica
Katie Cox, 20, England
Defenders
Ellie Carpenter, 26, Australia
Naomi Girma, 26, United States
Veerle Buurman, 20, Netherlands
Nelly Las, 21, France
Lucy Bronze, 34, England
Kadeisha Buchanan, 30, Canada
Chloe Sarwie, 17, England
Katie McCabe, 30, Republic of Ireland
Midfielders
Sjoeke Nüsken, 25, Germany
Erin Cuthbert, 28, Scotland
Wieke Kaptein, 20, Netherlands
Keira Walsh, 29, England
Lola Brown, 18, England
Lexi Potter, 19, England
Giulia Dragoni, 19, Italy
Forwards
Mayra Ramírez, 27, Colombia
Melvine Malard, 26, France
Lauren James, 24, England
Sandy Baltimore, 26, France
Alyssa Thompson, 21, United States
Maika Hamano, 22, Japan
Aggie Beever-Jones, 23, England
Fixtures
New Zealand International Football Festival
Game to be played on Saturday August 8, 2026
Auckland FC Women’s Invitational v Chelsea
Eden Park, Auckland, 4pm
Women’s All Stars fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday August 12, 2026
Chelsea Women v Women’s A-League All Stars
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 9.45pm (NZT)
READ MORE: Ferns named in women’s A-League All Stars to face touring Chelsea >>>>
This story was first published on August 3, 2026.