The Football Ferns have announced their squad for the Paris Olympics which includes 10 players making their Olympics debut.
The Ferns have opted for youth over experience as striker Hannah Wilkinson, who has played over 100 matches for New Zealand, has been left out of the 18-player squad.
Midfielder Annalie Longo and Betsy Hassett have also missed out, despite having over 100 caps for the Ferns each. However, Longo is a travelling reserve for the tournament.
Wilkinson became a Kiwi hero when she scored New Zealand's only goal at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup as they beat Norway 1-0 at Eden Park.
The Ferns will be led by interim coach Michael Mayne for the Olympics as Jitka Klimková stepped down ahead of the tournament due to an 'employment matter.'
Mayne said the selection process wasn't easy because of the smaller squads for the Olympics compared to the World Cup.
"We have had to make some tough decisions, but through our selection process, we have selected 18 players we believe can achieve the outcomes we want and are prepared for the challenges we will face," said Mayne.
“It is great to be able to give over half the squad their Olympic debuts, and I know it will be a proud moment for all of the players and staff to wear the fern in France."
The Ferns have a tough group as they have to face reigning champions Canada, Colombia, and hosts France.
They kick off the tournament on July 26 (NZT) when they take on Canada in Saint-Etienne.
The Football Ferns squad for the Paris Olympics is:
Mackenzie Barry* (16 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
CJ Bott (46 caps) Leicester City, England
Katie Bowen (109 caps) Inter Milan, Italy
Milly Clegg* (8 caps) Racing Louisville FC, USA
Victoria Esson (23 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland
Macey Fraser* (5 caps) Utah Royals, USA
Ally Green* (14 caps) AGF, Denmark
Jacqui Hand* (27 caps) Unattached
Grace Jale* (31 caps) Unattached
Katie Kitching* (10 caps) Sunderland AFC, England
Anna Leat (18 caps) Aston Villa FC, England
Meikayla Moore (65 caps) Unattached
Gabi Rennie (37 caps) Åland United, Finland
Ali Riley (162 caps) Angel City FC, USA
Indiah-Paige Riley* (24 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Malia Steinmetz* (31 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (102 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Kate Taylor* (16 caps) Unattached
*First time being involved in an Olympic campaign
In addition, Claudia Bunge (HB Koge, Denmark), Michaela Foster (Unattached), Annalie Longo (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand), and Murphy Sheaff (Kansas State University, USA) have been named as travelling reserves.
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