Nine Wellington Phoenix and four Auckland FC youngsters have been selected to represent New Zealand at the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
The 13 Isuzu UTE A-League rising stars were selected in the 21-player squad by former Phoenix star and current New Zealand Under-20 head coach Chris Greenacre, for the major tournament kicking off on September 27 in South America.
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The remaining eight players selected for World Cup duty will arrive in Chile for the showpiece event from clubs in Croatia, England and the United States.
Isuzu UTE A-League-based players selected for the FIFA U20 World Cup:
Wellington Phoenix: Luke Brooke-Smith, Fergus Gillion, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Xuan Loke, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Jayden Smith, Luke Supyk, Nathan Walker, Ryan Watson
Auckland FC: Adama Coulibaly, Finn McKenlay, Oliver Middleton, Codey Phoenix
Of the 13-player cast of Isuzu UTE A-League prospects in the New Zealand squad, two have received senior international call-ups to the All Whites: Phoenix duo Lukas Kelly-Heald and Luke Brooke-Smith.
Brooke-Smith, 17, will head to the Under-20 World Cup full of confidence after debuting for New Zealand against the CommBank Socceroos in Auckland on September 9. In doing so, the exciting forward became the second-youngest player to ever represent New Zealand on the senior international stage.
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New Zealand will compete in Group A at the tournament, facing host nation Chile on September 28, Egypt (October 1) and Japan (October 4).
Head coach Greenacre says the squad’s trip to Chile in June for warm-up fixtures against the tournament hosts will hold New Zealand in good stead to compete well at the Under-20 World Cup.
“I’m really pleased with the squad we have assembled to take to Chile for the FIFA U-20 World Cup which has a good blend of domestic and international experience,” Greenacre told New Zealand Football.
“We have good pedigree at this tournament, with the team processing out of the group at the last four editions, so it is absolutely our target to do the same with this squad.
“Having been to Chile in June for our warm-up games, we have some idea of what to expect but obviously the tournament is going to be another level.
“We are up against three other good teams, including the hosts so it will be great to take them on in front of what I’m sure will be a big and passionate crowd.
“From speaking to the boys I know they are really excited, so we are all looking forward to boarding the plane and getting our FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign underway.”
New Zealand Under-20 World Cup squad
Adama Coulibaly – Auckland FC, New Zealand
Finn McKenlay – Auckland FC, New Zealand
Oliver Middleton – Auckland FC, New Zealand
Codey Phoenix – Auckland FC, New Zealand
Josey Casa-Grande – Bristol City, England
James Bulkeley – North Texas SC, USA
Henry Gray – Ipswich Town, England
Troy Putt – Minnesota United, USA
Stipe Ukich – NK Istra 1961, Croatia
Keegan Kelly – University of Denver, USA
Luke Brooke-Smith – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Fergus Gillion – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Lukas Kelly-Heald – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Xuan Loke – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Jayden Smith – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Luke Supyk – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nathan Walker – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Ryan Watson – Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Noah DuPont – West Bromwich Albion, England
Joe Wallis – West Bromwich Albion, England
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