Head coach José Figueira has named a 21-player squad to represent New Zealand at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa.
The eight-nation tournament, which runs from September 1-14, 2026, decides which two sides will represent Oceania at the 2027 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup, to be hosted in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
Drawn in Group B, New Zealand will face Tahiti, Fiji, and Vanuatu in the pool games to be staged at Samoa’s Football Headquarters in Apia.
The New Zealand squad features predominantly players from New Zealand clubs, with Auckland FC providing the largest contingent, with nine players selected, while Wellington Phoenix contribute three players.
The squad includes players developing in Australia’s professional and semi-professional systems, with representatives from Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney Olympic.
Alex Lienard’s inclusion from English Premier League club Sunderland gives the squad a connection to a high-level English football academy environment.
New Zealand squad
Victor Barbosa (Unattached)
Aaron Cartwright (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Bailey Ferguson (Unattached)
Van Fitzharris (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Ricky Fransen (Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia)
George Green (Western Suburbs, New Zealand)
Oliver Grosso (Christchurch United, New Zealand)
Waisea Henry (Christchurch United, New Zealand)
Harley Hill (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Anton Isaako (Sydney Olympic, Australia)
Eli Jones (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Damion Kim (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Alex Lienard (Sunderland, England)
Nathan Martin (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Eamonn McCarron (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Dejaun Naidoo (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Daniel Nelson (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues (Unattached)
Jayden Smith (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Luka Vicelich (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Michael Wong (Auckland FC, New Zealand)
Among those to return from the previous U-20 cycle are Eamonn McCarron, Jayden Smith and Gab Sloane-Rodrigues.
Eight players have progressed from the New Zealand men’s U-17 cycle (Aaron Cartwright, Van Fitzharris, Damion Kim, Alex Lienard, Nathan Martin, Daniel Nelson, Luka Vicelich, Michael Wong).
New Zealand head coach José Figueira … ‘A fantastic opportunity for our players.’ Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Head coach José Figueira says this squad highlights the success of the New Zealand Football pathways system, with so many players progressing from previous age groups.
“We’ve selected a group that combines players excelling in domestic environments with others gaining experience overseas. The players have worked hard to reach this point, and we’re looking forward to the challenge ahead in Samoa.
“The OFC U-19 Championship is a fantastic opportunity for our players to test themselves in a competitive international environment. We know what’s at stake with a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup on the line, but our focus is on continuing the development of this group, playing our football with confidence, and representing New Zealand with pride.
“Tournaments like this are about embracing the challenge. Every team in Oceania will arrive in Samoa with ambition and belief, and we have great respect for our opponents. For us, success will come from staying true to our identity, working hard for each other, and being ready to perform when the key moments arrive.
“Qualifying for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup is the objective for this team, but we know nothing will be given to us. We are excited for the challenge ahead, and now it’s about bringing energy, discipline, and consistency to every match throughout the tournament.”
Games at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship will be streamed live and free on OFC’s YouTube channel, DAZN and FIFA+.
Acknowledgement
We thank NZ Football for providing information in this story.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Tuesday September 1, 2026
Group A
Solomon Islands v Papua New Guinea
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 10am (NZT)
New Caledonia v Samoa
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Wednesday September 2, 2026
Group B
Fiji v Vanuatu
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 10am (NZT)
New Zealand v Tahiti
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Friday September 4, 2026
Group A
New Caledonia v Solomon Islands
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 10am (NZT)
Papua New Guinea v Samoa
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Saturday September 5, 2026
Group B
Vanuatu v Tahiti
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 10am (NZT)
New Zealand v Fiji
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Monday September 7, 2026
Group A
Papua New Guinea v New Caledonia
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 10am (NZT)
Samoa v Solomon Islands
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Tuesday September 8, 2026
Group B
Tahiti v Fiji
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 10am (NZT)
Vanuatu v New Zealand
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Friday September 11, 2026
Semi-final 1
Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 10am (NZT)
Semi-final 2
Winners Group B Runners-up Group A
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Saturday September 12, 2026
Play-off for 5th
3rd Group A v 3rd Group B
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 11am (NZT)
Play-off for 7th
4th Group A v 4th Group B
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Monday September 14, 2026
Play-off for 3rd
Losers semi-final 1 v losers semi-final 2
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 11am (NZT)
Final
Winners semi-final 1 v winners semi-final 2
Samoa Football Headquarters, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
This story was first published on August 21, 2026.