Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková says players can still win selection to her Paris Olympics squad, even if they are not in the 24-player squad named to play Japan in a two-match series in early June.
“The door is still open,” she said after announcing her latest squad.
“We know that some of the players are not selected for this tour for different reasons but they still have a chance to compete for their spot.
“We know the selection (for the Olympics) is going to be made in the middle of June, so that’s when we need to holistically think who is in the best form, and shape and pick the best 18 who are going to represent New Zealand at the Olympics.”
The Ferns will play Japan in Spain on June 1 and June 4, 2024, to prepare for the Paris Olympics, which start in July.
Who’s missing from the squad
Players selected for Ferns squads in the past six months who have not been named for the series with Japan include:
Liz Anton (Perth Glory, Australia)
Hannah Blake (Adelaide United, Australia)
Ava Collins (St John’s University, United States)
Brianna Edwards (Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Manaia Elliott (Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Aimee Feinberg-Danieli (Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Annalie Longo (Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Ruby Nathan (Canberra United, Australia)
Emma Pijnenberg (Feyenoord, Netherlands)
Paige Satchell (London City Lionesses, England)
Midfielder Betsy Hassett is not available for selection as she’s taking 2024 off to have a baby.
New Zealand squad
The squad named to play Japan:
Player/caps/club
Mackenzie Barry (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
CJ Bott (44 caps) Leicester City, England
Katie Bowen (107 caps) Inter Milan, Italy
Claudia Bunge (30 caps) HB Køge, Denmark
Daisy Cleverley (37 caps) HB Køge, Denmark
Milly Clegg (6 caps) Racing Louisville FC, USA
Victoria Esson (23 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland
Michaela Foster (16 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Macey Fraser (5 caps) Utah Royals, USA
Ally Green (12 caps) AGF, Denmark
Jacqui Hand (25 caps) Lewes FC, England
Grace Jale (29 caps) Unattached
Katie Kitching (8 caps) Sunderland AFC, England
Anna Leat (16 caps) Aston Villa FC, England
Meikayla Moore (64 caps) Glasgow City FC, Scotland
Grace Neville (8 caps) London City Lionesses, England
Gabi Rennie (35 caps) Åland United, Finland
Ali Riley (161 caps) Angel City FC, USA
Indiah-Paige Riley (23 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Murphy Sheaff (0 caps) Kansas State University, USA
Malia Steinmetz (29 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (101 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Kate Taylor (15 caps) Unattached
Hannah Wilkinson (124 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Friendly fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday June 1, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v Japan
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain, 2am (NZT)
Game to be played on Tuesday June 4, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v Japan
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain, 2am (NZT)
Olympic fixtures
Games to be played on Friday July 26, 2024 (NZT)
Canada v New Zealand
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 3am (NZT)
France v Colombia
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 7am (NZT)
Games to be played on Monday July 29, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v Colombia
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 3am (NZT)
France v Canada
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 7am (NZT)
Games to be played on Thursday August 1, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v France
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 7am (NZT)
Colombia v Canada
Stade de Nice, Nice, 7am (NZT)
