New Zealand Football have announced their 18-player roster for the upcoming women’s football tournament at the Paris Olympics.
The squad announcement came less than a week after Jitka Klimková had announced she would step down from her role as head coach.
Head coach Michael Mayne makes a few key changes, most notably dropping mainstay striker Hannah Wilkinson, in favour of a younger (however less experienced) group of forwards.
Angel City defender Ali Riley makes her 5th Olympic roster, having featured in the squads since 2008.
There are two familiar faces for those who watch the Women’s Super League as Aston Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat and Leicester City defender CJ Bott both maintain their regular place as members of the national team.
Only two of the names on the roster (plus one reserve) play their football in New Zealand, for the countries only professional team Wellington Phoenix; with both Kate Taylor and Michaela Foster departing the team over the summer transfer window.
Ten of the 18-woman squad have not been involved in an Olympic campaign prior to 2024.
Full squad details:
Goalkeepers:
- Anna Leat (18 caps, Aston Villa, England)
- Victoria Esson (23 caps, Rangers, Scotland)
Defenders:
- Ali Riley (162 caps, Angel City, USA)
- Katie Bowen (109 caps, Inter Milan, Italy)
- Rebekah Stott (102 caps, Melbourne City, Australia)
- Kate Taylor (16 caps, Unattached)
- CJ Bott (46 caps, Leicester City, England)
- Ally Green (14 caps, AGF, Denmark)
- Mackenzie Barry (16 caps, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
- Meikayla Moore (65 caps, Glasgow City, Scotland)
Midfielders:
- Malia Steinmetz (31 caps, Nordsjælland, Denmark)
- Macey Fraser (5 caps, Utah Royals, USA)
- Grace Jale (31 caps, Perth Glory, Australia)
- Katie Kitching (10 caps, Sunderland, England)
Forwards:
- Milly Clegg (8 caps, Racing Louisville, USA)
- Jacqui Hand (27 caps, Lewes FC, England)
- Indiah-Paige Riley (24 caps, PSV, Netherlands)
- Gabi Rennie (37 caps, Åland United, Finland)
Reserves:
- Michaela Foster (13 caps, Unattached)
- Claudia Bunge (28 caps, HB Køge, Denmark)
- Annalie Longo (133 caps, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
- Murphy Sheaff (Uncapped, Kansas State University, USA)
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