Eden Chaytor hopes New Zealand can create an underdog story at the U17 Women's World Cup in Morocco. In a FIFA interview, the defender described the country's 2018 bronze medal as inspiration for a notably young current squad.
Earlier success supplies encouragement
New Zealand hosted the inaugural tournament in 2008 but experienced repeated group-stage exits before finishing third in 2018. FIFA identifies that medal as the country's first at one of its tournaments.
Chaytor sees it as evidence of what is possible, rather than a guarantee of another podium finish.
The team qualified through the August 2025 OFC U16 Women's Championship, winning all five games with 22 goals scored and two conceded. Those results belong to qualification rather than Morocco 2026 itself.
A young group faces three opponents
Alana Gunn's selection includes eleven 16-year-olds and two players aged 15. At more than 17 years and seven months, Chaytor is among the older members described in the interview.
She values the time younger players have spent developing together and wants to help them gain from the experience.
New Zealand opens against hosts Morocco before meeting Argentina and Germany in Group A. Playing the hosts brings an anticipated crowd challenge alongside the excitement of a first appearance for many players.
Chaytor's objectives include collecting points and potentially progressing, while also learning from different opponents. The 2018 medal and qualifying success provide background; the current tournament's results still have to be earned.