Latest news with #OFCU-16Women'sChampionship
Scoop
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Samoa Drawn Against Some Of Women's Football's Strongest Nations For Historic 1st FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Appearance
Samoa will make history this October as they compete in their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™ following the official draw in Rabat, Morocco. Samoa who finished runners up to New Zealand at last year's OFC U-16 Women's Championship, has been drawn in Group D alongside women's football powerhouses Canada, France, and Nigeria – an exciting and challenging assignment for the Pacific Island nation in their debut appearance on the world stage. New Zealand has been drawn in Group F and will play Japan, Paraguay, and Zambia. The draw, held at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, revealed the group-stage matchups for the 24 qualified nations taking part in the tournament, which will run from 17 October to 8 November in the Moroccan capital. This year's edition of the tournament is groundbreaking on multiple fronts. It marks the first time the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will feature 24 teams, up from 16, and it is also the first-ever FIFA women's tournament to be held on African soil. FIFA Chief Women's Football Officer, Sarai Bareman – who herself has strong Samoan roots and once captained the Samoa national women's team, featured in the draw ceremony. Samoa's historic qualification was sealed with a memorable performance at the OFC U-16 Women's Championship in Tahiti, earning their place among the world's best. The tournament now presents an unprecedented opportunity for the young squad to represent their country, region, and culture on the global stage.
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
OFC U-16 Women's Championship To Kick Off In Rarotonga
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The stage is set in Rarotonga as the OFC U-16 Womens Championship-Qualifying tournament kicks off with three nations, American Samoa, Papua New Guinea and hosts the Cook Islands vying for a place at the OFC U-16 Womens Championship in August. The action starts tomorrow with Papua New Guinea playing hosts Cook Islands, and PNG coach Rachel Wadunah is confident her side has prepared well. 'Preparations have been going on well and we are here to compete. We have prepared them well We get to play together and we would like our supporters to be behind us and to support the team away from home.' Wadunah said. Cook Islands coach Tupou Brogan has expressed her excitement about hosting an OFC competition at home and sees it as a great motivating factor for her players. 'I think this would be a great opportunity. Having a home game we are hosting, it's an exciting one. They definitely motivate the girls that are living here, and we will work hard towards it. Because they're at home, their parents will be here supporting them, their family, friends and church members. So I think there will definitely be an advantage to us.' Brogan said. And Brogan is urging locals to turn out in large numbers to support the Cook Islands team. 'We need your support, your cheers and we'll be happy to see all of you here to support our Cook Island girls.' Meanwhile American Samoa led by Solomon Islands born coach Diane Justus, will have the chance to scout their rivals as they sit out the opening day. 'The team has prepared for the last few months and now we are here in Cook Islands ready for the tournament. We have been here a couple of days and are settling in now. And the time that we have for our team is just enough for us to have our last sessions together as a team before our first game on Tuesday.' Justus said. The tournament winner will join Group B alongside New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tonga at the OFC U-16 Women's Championship in Apia in August.
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
OFC U-16 Women's Championship To Kick Off In Rarotonga
The action starts tomorrow with Papua New Guinea playing hosts Cook Islands, and PNG coach Rachel Wadunah is confident her side has prepared well. 'Preparations have been going on well and we are here to compete. We have prepared them well We get to play together and we would like our supporters to be behind us and to support the team away from home.' Wadunah said. Cook Islands coach Tupou Brogan has expressed her excitement about hosting an OFC competition at home and sees it as a great motivating factor for her players. 'I think this would be a great opportunity. Having a home game we are hosting, it's an exciting one. They definitely motivate the girls that are living here, and we will work hard towards it. Because they're at home, their parents will be here supporting them, their family, friends and church members. So I think there will definitely be an advantage to us.' Brogan said. And Brogan is urging locals to turn out in large numbers to support the Cook Islands team. 'We need your support, your cheers and we'll be happy to see all of you here to support our Cook Island girls.' Meanwhile American Samoa led by Solomon Islands born coach Diane Justus, will have the chance to scout their rivals as they sit out the opening day. 'The team has prepared for the last few months and now we are here in Cook Islands ready for the tournament. We have been here a couple of days and are settling in now. And the time that we have for our team is just enough for us to have our last sessions together as a team before our first game on Tuesday.' Justus said. The tournament winner will join Group B alongside New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tonga at the OFC U-16 Women's Championship in Apia in August.
