A 24-player squad has been named for the New Zealand U-20 women’s team to face Australia in two matches to prepare for September’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
The trans-Tasman fixtures will be played in Canberra on Wednesday May 20 and Saturday May 23.
The first match will be played behind closed doors, while the second fixture will be open to friends and family. Neither match will be livestreamed.
Head coach Callum Holmes has selected a squad featuring 16 members of the New Zealand side which won last year’s OFC Women’s U-19 Championship in Tahiti.
Holmes said the matches were an important opportunity to continue building toward the World Cup campaign later this year.
“We’re excited about the challenge that comes from playing Australia on their home soil,” Holmes said.
“While they didn’t qualify for this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, trans-Tasman matches are always testing experiences.
“We’re confident these two matches will allow us to continue fine-tuning the work we’ve been making with this side ahead of travelling to Poland for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup later this year.”
The squad includes players from clubs and universities across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, alongside a strong Wellington Phoenix contingent.
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup draw is scheduled for next week.
New Zealand
Mikaela Bangalan, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Grace Bartlett, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Laura Bennett, Melville United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Zoe Benson, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Daisy Brazendale, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Lily Brazendale, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Penny Brill, Xavier University, United States
Mary Brown, Melbourne City, Australia
Amber de Wit, North Dakota State University, United States
Freya des Fountain, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Grace Duncan, Washington Women’s Soccer, United States
Charli Dunn, Middle Tennessee State University, United States
Alyssha Eglinton, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Scarlett Gray, Central Coast Mariners, Australia
Mackenzie Greene, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ela Jerez, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Emily Lyon, West Coast Rangers, Aotearoa New Zealand
Charley March, Auckland United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Charlotte Mortlock, Northern Tigers, Australia
Brooke Neary, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Poppy O’Brien, Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Phoebe Riley, Gladesville Ravens, Australia
Riley Sheldon, Incarnate Word University, United States
Lily Joy Taylor, Bulls FC Academy, Australia
Fixtures
Game to be played on Wednesday May 20, 2026
Australia v New Zealand
AIS Arena, Canberra, 3.30pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Saturday May 23, 2026
Australia v New Zealand
AIS Arena, Canberra, 10.45am (NZT)
This story was first published on May 8, 2026.