New Zealand unveil squad for WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup on path to LA28
Softball New Zealand has announced its roster for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage 2026, following the conclusion of the National Open Women’s Club Championships. The White Sox will compete in Oklahoma City, USA, from 12 to 16 September.
“We are really excited as a coaching staff to announce the final 16 players for the WBSC World Cup, it’s been a real journey to get to this point and we are ready for the challenge that lies ahead for us in Oklahoma,” Head Coach Craig Wallace said. “It was a really tough task for our coaching staff to get to the final 16 players and we are extremely happy with the depth that has been built within our squad over the last 12-18 months, with many players extremely unlucky to not be named in the final 16”.
This campaign marks an important step in New Zealand’s international pathway as the team continues its journey towards the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals and the LA28 Olympic Games, where softball will feature on the Olympic programme for the sixth time. New Zealand participated in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, posting a 2-5 record to finish in sixth place.
The path to the Olympic Games will start this year with the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage before the top eight teams advance to next year's Finals in Brisbane where the top ranked team (not counting USA, who are automatically qualified as hosts) will earn a ticket to the LA28 Olympic Games.
New Zealand roster
- Lara Andrews
- McKenzie Bailey-McDowell
- Erin Blackmore
- Hailey Breakwell
- Danica Ferriso
- Charlotte Graham
- Shyah Hale
- Rita Huata
- Marama Makea
- Mereana Makea
- Pania Monk
- Kaiyah Ratu
- Denva Shaw-Tait
- Keri Simeon
- Lace Tangianau
- Mikayla Werahiko
Non-Traveling Reserves:
- Tyarn Bromhead-Lemalu
- Yvanni Gibson
- Maysen Kurene-Iwikau
- Poppy Priddle
- Stefanie Smith
- Brittany Terrey
The White Sox, ranked No. 23 in the WBSC Women's Softball World Ranking, will face tough competition in the World Cup with Group Oklahoma City including World No. 2 USA, No. 6 Netherlands, No. 7 Mexico, No. 8 China, and No. 36 South Africa. The top two teams in the group's final standings will advance to the Finals 2027, to be staged in Redcliffe, Australia.
New Zealand has participated in all 17 previous editions of the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup, winning four consecutive medals from 1978 to 1990, including the World Championship in 1982. However, they last finished in the top-10 in 2016, finishing 13th in 2018 and 16th in 2023/24.