Four Wellington Phoenix players have been named in the Football Ferns for the final stage of Oceania qualifying for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 next month.
Victoria Esson (32 caps), Grace Jale (37 caps), Emma Pijnenburg (11 caps) and Pia Vlok (3 caps) have been included in the 23-strong squad for New Zealand’s semi-final against Fiji in Hamilton on Sunday, April 12 and the final against either Papua New Guinea or American Samoa in Auckland on the following Wednesday (April 15), should the Ferns advance.
A further six former Wellington players, including Kelli Brown, Charlotte Lancaster, Kate Taylor and Grace Wisnewski who were part of the club’s inaugural women’s team, have also been called up, while young Nix goalkeeper Brooke Neary will join the national team camp as a training player.
Fullback Lara Wall (2 caps) wasn’t considered for selection because of injury, while Mackenzie Barry (24 caps) and Manaia Elliott (7 caps) were overlooked.
The winner of the OFC qualifying tournament will secure a place at FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil, while the runner-up will advance to inter-confederation playoffs.
Esson, Jale, Pijnenburg and Vlok will assemble with the Ferns after the Phoenix’s final round Ninja A-League match against Adelaide on Friday, April 3 and will return to Wellington before week one of the finals.
