Head coach Michael Mayne has confirmed injuries will force three members of his New Zealand squad to miss Wednesday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers final against Papua New Guinea.
They are defender Meikayla Moore, midfielder Emma Pijnenburg and forward Pia Vlok.
Mayne says Moore was ruled out of Saturday’s semi-final against Fiji with a calf injury and was unable to be available for the final, which determines who’ll represent Oceania at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Main photo: Maikayla Moore … sidelined with calf injury.
Mayne said that while Moore would remain with the squad for Wednesday’s final, Pinjenburg and Vlok had returned to their Wellington Phoenix club for treatment for their injuries.
Vlok’s ankle was injured late in the match against Fiji, while Pijnenburg missed the semi-final after rolling her ankle in training.
“Due to it being so close to game day, where the Ferns will face Papua New Guinea this Wednesday for a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, replacement players will not be brought in,” NZ Football said in a statement.
The injuries to Vlok and Pinenburg add more concerns to the Phoenix after news that forward Emma Main will miss the club’s first-ever women’s A-League finals series.
Main has a chronic lumbar spine injury and will focus on getting fit for next season.
READ MORE: Phoenix face women’s A-League finals series without forward Emma Main >>>>
Explained: Who the Wellington Phoenix face in women’s A-League finals series >>>>
What’s at stake
The winners of Wednesday’s final will automatically qualify to represent Oceania at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The losers will go into an intercontinental play-off series to determine another qualifier for the Brazil tournament.
Squads
(Player, caps/goals, club)
Goalkeepers
Victoria Esson (32/0), Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Alina Santos (3/0), University of Denver, United States
Defenders
Liz Anton (27/0), Canberra United, Australia
Claudia Bunge (41/1), Melbourne Victory, Australia
Michaela Foster (34/2), Durham FC, England
Ally Green (20/2), FC Copenhagen, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (111/4), Melbourne City, Australia
Kate Taylor (31/3), Dijon FCO, France
Midfielders
Manaia Elliott (8/2)Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Maya Hahn (9/1), FC Viktoria Berlin, Germany
Deven Jackson (9/1), Melbourne City, Australia
Grace Jale (38/10), Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Katie Kitching (27/8), Sunderland AFC, England
Charlotte Lancaster (3/0), Newcastle Jets, Australia
Grace Wisnewski (7/0), FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Forwards
Hannah Blake (11/4), Durham FC, England
Kelli Brown (12/5), Newcastle Jets, Australia
Milly Clegg (23/4), Vittsjö GIK, Sweden
Jacqui Hand (38/9), FC Basel, Switzerland
Gabi Rennie (46/2), Eskilstuna United DFF, Sweden
Withdrawn
Indiah-Paige Riley (37/9), Crystal Palace, England (injured)
Emma Pijnenburg (11/0), Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand (injured)
Pia Vlok (4/1), Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand (injured)
Injured but still with squad
Meikayla Moore (77/4), Calgary Wild, Canada
Head coach
Michael Mayne
Goalkeepers
Betty Sam (Gk)
Emeliah Toks (Gk)
Leah Lou (Gk)
Defenders
Serah Waida
Anastasia Gunemba
Raynata Samuel
Olivia Upaupa
Yvonne Gabong
Gloria Laeli
Merolyne Sali
Grace Batiy
Salome Taboroyan
Midfielders
Ramona Padio
Mavis Singara
Michaelyn Butubu
Phillis Pala
Assaiso Gossie
Keren Samena Kalapai
Ginnimari Wambi
Forwards
Marie Kaipu
Calista Maneo
Nenny Elipas
Meagen Gunemba
Head coach
Ericson Komeng
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday April 15, 2026
Final
Papua New Guinea v New Zealand
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, Auckland, 7pm (NZT)
This story was first published on April 14, 2026, and was updated on April 15, 2026.