Football Fern Mackenzie Barry has re-signed with the Wellington Phoenix for another season.
The club’s most capped player and interim captain has represented the Phoenix since the inaugural A-League women’s season, and said extending her time in the capital could help her push for a place in the Football Ferns2027 Women’s World Cup squad if they beat Papua New Guinea.
“It’s a huge goal of mine. I missed out on the last World Cup at home and that was really upsetting,” Barry said.
“But being a part of the Olympics in France more recently gave me some tournament experience and it was amazing.
Barry’s re-signing brings the number of players to have committed to the Phoenix for next season to 11, with fellow defender Ellie Walker also planning to return.
The Football Ferns will secure a place at the next Women’s World Cup in Brazil if they beat Papua New Guinea at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.
New Zealand beat Fiji 5-0 in a game brought forward 24 hours because of Cyclone Vaianu at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, resulting in their advancement to the OFC 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualification final.
The runner-up of the qualification final can still make the 2027 World Cup through the inter-confederation playoffs.
Barry was not selected for the Football Ferns’ April squad, but has played 24 times for New Zealand and scored one goal.
