The Wellington Phoenix have deleted a social media post appearing to criticise the announcement of the Chelsea FC Women playing an Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI in August at Eden Park.
In a post on X, since removed, the Phoenix questioned why the match would be held in Auckland whena professional women’s team had not yet been established.
“If only there was a women’s football team in New Zealand that Chelsea could have played!” the post read.
“Maybe one that just reached the Grand Final? Or one that just had six thousand fans turn up for a playoff game?
The Wellington Phoenix have been contacted for comment.
A now-deleted post on the Wellington Phoenix's X account appeared to criticise the decision for the Chelsea FC Women to play an Auckland FC Women's Invitational XI. Photo / @WgtnPhoenixFC
Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker confirmed there will be a women’s team in the A-League for the 2027/28 season, based in Auckland, and said the club was approached by events company TEG Sport to take part in the match.
“We were approached by TEG to do it and we saw the opportunity in that,” he said.
“I think on the Wellington Phoenix women’s team, I think they’ve had a fantastic season and I hope them all the best for the final coming up.
“I’m sure they can do it and we as a fellow New Zealand team are fully behind them to go and win over there in Melbourne.”
Becker could not confirm whether Phoenix players could take part in the Invitational XI.
“That is a great question which I cannot answer, literally for the reasons being that first [Invitational XI coach Jenny Bindon] has to pick them, and then they have to have a conversation.
“I’m guessing if they’re out of contract with Wellington, it won’t be an issue.
“It is an exhibition match, it is an invitational side, so that in itself means that there’s a sort of open scope to pick players.”
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Louise Upston said she hopes there are opportunities for the Phoenix to host similar matches in the future, but pointed to this fixture being part of a wider event held in Auckland.
“It’s not going to Auckland FC, it’s the International Football Festival.
“It’s the opportunity to profile a world-leading women’s team in Chelsea, which will be great and it’s really the opportunity to highlight that we want to see more fans, we want to provide more opportunities for fans to see these world-class events, and it also demonstrates that New Zealand’s got what it takes to host events like this, which is great for New Zealand and our reputation.”
The invitational XI, coached by Bindon, a former Football Fern, will include players from Auckland FC’s Women’s Talent Development Centre and comes after Tottenham Hotspur’s match against Auckland FC on July 26 at the same stadium.
The Phoenix women’s team are set to play Melbourne City in their A-League grand final on May 16.
