New Zealand Men's U-20s

Starting 11, something like.
Gray, Loke, Bulkeley, Dupont, LKH, Gillion, Leuluai, McKenlay, Walker, Supyk & LBS

But really I'm only guessing how the likely overseas contingent of Gray, Bulkeley, Dupont, Leuluai & Watson compare to the Kiwi based players.


The Nix should have around 8-11 players at this year's U20 WC. A bit of welcome news amongst the current gloom.

Surman, Hughes, LKH and to a lesser extent Conchie all returned from the 2023 WC to be significant players for the Nix in last season's success. Hopefully the same happens for the high number going to this year's event in Chile.

Could we even see a trend given the club's heavy reliance on the Academy pathway, that every 2nd season following a U20 WC, is when there is the most notable improvement in first team's ex Weenix grads?? Playing some of the world's best young players for 2-3 weeks can only speed up your development.

Trying to be optimstic about the 25/26 ALM season!

Considering the Aus u20 just beat Japan (a traditional youth powerhouse IMO) it's disappointing to see that we don't seem to have the same depth coming through.

I still hope we can arrange a couple friendlies against them - considering most of them are at A League clubs, and ours are NZ/AUS based this should be very doable. Run it in an international window for example whilst the A League is not playing etc.

The U20 WC is Sept-Oct just before the next ALM season starts

All the pre tourney games will be in the ALM off season. Yes Young Socceroos an obvious target for a couple of games

I think it will be a stronger team than 2023 when most of the squad were NZ National league players. This squad will virtually all be in pro environments

They could be as good as the 2019 vintage we don’t know yet. McKenlay could be a new Joe Bell. We wait to see. Is a bugger Jonty Bidois is a few months too old, I’ve liked his ALM cameos

And going forward we should be consistently stronger at U20s level, as Auckland FC’s new academy pathway lifts age group standards in the Northern region. Having 2 ALM clubs will just mean greater pro opportunities and faster development for local young players. 

A potential 3rd ALM team in the Sth will add to that further, as will 2 NZ teams in the new OFC professional league, giving young NZ players another pro pathway.

Alex Lienard Sunderland (U18) midfield, still only 16 though 

Hutcho137

Alex Lienard Sunderland (U18) midfield, still only 16 though 

Yeah considered him, but is only playing U18 football in the UK. The potential U20 squad does look light on quality midfielders, so who knows. Presumably coach Greenacre has been on a scouting trip to the UK, to check out all the prospects playing there.

LBS is only 16. But he's playing pro mens football and a chunky unit.

Posted this also in the the Henry Gray thread.

Gray would likely to be the no 1 GK at the U20 WC (Sept-Oct). Though a potential complication could be, what if Ipswich found him say a League Two club in July re his next loan deal for season 25/26. And that L2 club wanted him for a full  season. Or if Ipswich get relegated to The Championship, Gray could even become the no 2 keeper at The Tractor Boys (unlikely you'd think) - and yes be wanted in the UK

Anyway just something Greenacre may have to deal with. Plenty of young players don't get to a U20 World Cup, because their European clubs don't let them. And that's when U20 WCs were played more in the Euro off season (May-June). The last one in Argentina was 20th May – 11th June. 

This year in Chile it's 27th September – 19th October, for some reason. So expect lots of the world's best young talent to not be there.

coochiee

Posted this also in the the Henry Gray thread.

Gray would likely to be the no 1 GK at the U20 WC (Sept-Oct). Though a potential complication could be, what if Ipswich found him say a League Two club in July re his next loan deal for season 25/26. And that L2 club wanted him for a full  season. Or if Ipswich get relegated to The Championship, Gray could even become the no 2 keeper at The Tractor Boys (unlikely you'd think) - and yes be wanted in the UK

Anyway just something Greenacre may have to deal with. Plenty of young players don't get to a U20 World Cup, because their European clubs don't let them. And that's when U20 WCs were played more in the Euro off season (May-June). The last one in Argentina was 20th May – 11th June. 

This year in Chile it's 27th September – 19th October, for some reason. So expect lots of the world's best young talent to not be there.

 Same goes for Tyler Bindon

Shark completely forgot Bindon was still age eligible for the U20 WC. Only turned 20 on 27th Jan this year. Didn't he turn down USA U20 selection for the last one in Argentina (2023)?

I'd say there is almost zero chance Nottingham Forest will let him go to Chile from mid September onwards. And really fair enough. His best future development is going to had from training with elite EPL footballers. Can see him doing some early pre season at least at the City Ground, before they decide where he spends 25/26.

From a future NZ football aspect it's better that the likes of Bulkeley, Coveny, Dupont etc get to go to a U20 WC.

Also forgot to mention Jayden Smith from the Nix as a possible CB selection for the NZU20s. 18 in July. Nix gave him a contract at only 17, so they must rate him.

If AKH is ruled out of U20 WC with his shoulder injury, and Ipswich consider it's best Henry Gray stays in the UK (U20 WC is Sept-Oct), Matt Foord might be end up the starting GK in Chile.

But Foord has had his own injury issues I understand.

18 yr old Eli Jones at Auckland FC reserves now another contender. 
Alongside Joe Wallis at West Brom youth.

Unfortunately Dublin Boon at Weenix misses the age cutoff by 7 days.

Going to be very interesting where Greenacre plays LKH at the U20 WC. He's starting to look very tidy for the Nix in midfield.

And the U20 squad looks like being stronger for defenders than midfielders.

Some possible selections. I imagine a few (like Coulibaly?) are interchangeable re their positions.

Defenders - James Bulkeley (North Texas), Adama Coulibaly (Auckland FC)
Luka Coveny (Western United), Tze-Xuan Loke (Nix), Codey Phoenix (Auckland FC), Noah Dupont (West Brom youth), Lucas Kelly-Heald (Nix), Jayden Smith (Nix), Dylan Gardiner (Weenix),  Matthew D'Hotman de Villiers (Auckland FC Reserves), Ricky Fransen (WSW Reserves)

Midfield - Fergus Gillion (Weenix), Finn McKenlay (Auckland FC)
Oliver Middleton (Auckland FC), Marley Leuluai (Burnley youth), Anaru Cassidy (Weenix), Alex Lienard (Sunderland youth)

I think they'll opt for Wallis ahead of Foord, purely because they LOVE a player playing in the UK.

You'd think Henry Gray would travel to Chile if he isn't making squads at Ipswich, but obviously that could change next season

coochiee

If AKH is ruled out of U20 WC with his shoulder injury, and Ipswich consider it's best Henry Gray stays in the UK (U20 WC is Sept-Oct), Matt Foord might be end up the starting GK in Chile.

But Foord has had his own injury issues I understand.

18 yr old Eli Jones at Auckland FC reserves now another contender. 
Alongside Joe Wallis at West Brom youth.

Unfortunately Dublin Boon at Weenix misses the age cutoff by 7 days.

I'v hear rumours that Regan Frame believes he is a a strong candidate for selection as a goalkeeper in New Zealand's squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, turning down offers at clubs like Auckland United

Not a fan??

Perhaps he wasn't given assurances around game time that he feels he needs to gain selection?

NZKnowledge

I'v hear rumours that Regan Frame believes he is a a strong candidate for selection as a goalkeeper in New Zealand's squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup. He likes to believe he is one of the best GK's in NZ, turning down offers at clubs like Auckland United

Lets not post spiteful stuff like that about young players on here.
Scurry off to Facebook.

coochiee

Going to be very interesting where Greenacre plays LKH at the U20 WC. He's starting to look very tidy for the Nix in midfield.

And the U20 squad looks like being stronger for defenders than midfielders.

Some possible selections. I imagine a few (like Coulibaly?) are interchangeable re their positions.

Defenders - James Bulkeley (North Texas), Adama Coulibaly (Auckland FC)
Luka Coveny (Western United), Tze-Xuan Loke (Nix), Codey Phoenix (Auckland FC), Noah Dupont (West Brom youth), Lucas Kelly-Heald (Nix), Jayden Smith (Nix), Dylan Gardiner (Weenix),  Matthew D'Hotman de Villiers (Auckland FC Reserves), Ricky Fransen (WSW Reserves)

Midfield - Fergus Gillion (Weenix), Finn McKenlay (Auckland FC)
Oliver Middleton (Auckland FC), Marley Leuluai (Burnley youth), Anaru Cassidy (Weenix), Alex Lienard (Sunderland youth)

Chuck into the fray Ruben & Max Argent from Perth Glory. Twin brother CB pairing who have become starters for the Perth NPL side over in WA this season. 

U20 World Cup draw to be sometime late June.

24 teams. 4 pots of 6 teams, to create the 6 pools.
NZ rather generously is in Pot 2.

Spain! and Australia in Pot 3. New Caledonia down in Pot 4, with Cuba.

Fingers crossed NZ draw the Cubans. Then hope to be one four best third-placed teams, to make the R16.

All the qualifying is completed, except Africa. CAF qualifying tourney in May.

Defending champs Uruguay (won in Argentina in 2023) didn't make it through CONMEBOL qualifying this time. The 5 UEFA teams are  France, Italy, Spain, Ukraine and U20 WC NZ bunnies Norway. The Norwegians are in Pot 3, so it maybe 2019 all over again.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_FIFA_U-20_World_Cup

Only 5 months away.

Would love to see some warm up games for these players. With World Cup qualifcation done, I would be disappointed if we did not see increased investment in our youth sides etc.

It seems like Aussie is playing every window currently (different region and all) where as our youth are sitting at home (where ever internationally that might be).

The ALM will finish in 5 weeks, and you'd think after that the first training camps & trials would be announced. Around 70% of the team could come from various A League clubs. Mostly from the Nix and then Auckland. Some with Aussie clubs.

The Young Socceroos (Australia U20) only qualified earlier this year (won their U20 Asian Cup), with 17 of their 23 players coming from the ALM. Pretty sure they haven't played since. Would be pointless if so, taking them away from their pro clubs when the U20 World Cup is still months away.

I'm sure NZF have reached out Football Australia re a series of warmup games once the A League and European seasons are over.

Japan and Sth Korea have also qualified, so a little mini tour to those 2 countries might be in order. 

Draw is late June, about 3 months prior the tourney. So NZF may decide to wait to see what teams are in NZ's pool before deciding on warmups. Looks like Sth Korea are in Pot 1, Japan with us in Pot 2 and Australia in Pot 3.

The tourney & buildup will be a major disruptor of pre season for the Nix (one contributing factor why I think Chiefy will be retained, rather than a new coach coming in). Far less so for Auckland, with their older first team squad.


With the AWs now having qualified for the WC, locking in a windfall of US$10.5 million (WC payout to qualified teams in 2022) or more - minus yes about 40% to the players - NZF can now likely open the purse strings a bit re spending on preparation for the various national teams.

While I don’t think we should do it in the cheap, a couple of warm up games verses the Nix and AFC, would be very cool. 

Remember many years ago the Nix playing an under 20 team at Albany. 

May be a good game for AFC to take to Hamilton and Wellington to Nelson.

AucklandPhoenix

While I don’t think we should do it in the cheap, a couple of warm up games verses the Nix and AFC, would be very cool. 

Remember many years ago the Nix playing an under 20 team at Albany. 

May be a good game for AFC to take to Hamilton and Wellington to Nelson.

The nix's first ever game was against Stu Jacobs NZ u20s in Masterton.

reg22

AucklandPhoenix

While I don’t think we should do it in the cheap, a couple of warm up games verses the Nix and AFC, would be very cool. 

Remember many years ago the Nix playing an under 20 team at Albany. 

May be a good game for AFC to take to Hamilton and Wellington to Nelson.

The nix's first ever game was against Stu Jacobs NZ u20s in Masterton.

Wow thats a while ago i remember that game i went to it.

Another example of that 2026 WC qualification windfall being put to good use. Chile in Chile will be tough.

I think the WC draw is made late in June.

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/153027?newsfeedId=2064762

🇳🇿🆚🇨🇱

The Men's U-20 team will warm up for September's FIFA U-20 World Cup with a two-match series next month against tournament hosts Chile.

📖 Read more at https://t.co/ldBKcM0qhn pic.twitter.com/iQmpgZA02j

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) May 5, 2025

Would really love this team to play the Nix and AFC as well.

The make up of this squad will be interesting. There seems to be a lot of decent CB's coming through, and one or 2 attackers, but we seem very light in the center of the park.

Yes very much looking forward to this first squad announcement of this team.
How many from the Nix and Auckland?  How do you measure someone on a UK club youth deal verus someone at a ALM club?

90% of an AWs squad picks itself these days, but this U20s squad could have a few surprises.

Likely not as strong as Des's 2019 squad, but hopefully better than the pretty average 2023 team. Certainly they will be better prepared this time, with these 2 games in Chile, plus hopefully a few later against the Australian U20s

Yeah in the past Ole academy has been strongly represented, how strong are they these days now? Are they still producing the quality players like Marco and Matt?

Marko (Stamenic). And it's McCowatt by the way.

No Ole are a re shadow of the influence they were under Declan. The peak being yes the number of grads they had in that 2019 U20 team.

Weenix's midfielder Fergus Gillion (young brother of Liam) I think went to Ole, and might make the U20s.

Matt (Garbet) came through ole is well. As did McCowatt, just, Thomas, Sims, Wilkins and there will be others I can’t think of off the top of my head

coochiee

Marko (Stamenic). And it's McCowatt by the way.

No Ole are a re shadow of the influence they were under Declan. The peak being yes the number of grads they had in that 2019 U20 team.

Weenix's midfielder Fergus Gillion (young brother of Liam) I think went to Ole, and might make the U20s.

Ah sorry I think your correcting my spelling on another post somewhere else, and your  not saying Garbet didn’t go through ole.

You would think with Greenacre being the Nix reserves coach and the national u20 coach there will be a good amount of nix players in the squad 

Strewth. Garbett yes went to Ole, but their peak production period was that 2019 national U20s team.

Your homework. Go all Bart Simpson and write out the names of Piney's top 50 list 50x. When you have nailed it report back to class.


Edit - forgot about Greeny being U20s coach. Yes will be interesting who he picks, and if he gets accussed of any bias when an agruably better Auckland (reserves) or overseas pick misses out. 

Lots of CB options, at the Nix, other ALM clubs and US/UK. So if Dylan Gardiner & Jayden Smith both got selected, straight away Greenacre would be questioned re juggling two hats, and potentially favouring his Weenix crew.

coochiee

Strewth. Garbett yes went to Ole, but their peak production period was that 2019 national U20s team.

Your homework. Go all Bart Simpson and write out the names of Piney's top 50 list 50x. When you have nailed it report back to class.


Edit - forgot about Greeny being U20s coach. Yes will be interesting who he picks, and if he gets accussed of any bias when an agruably better Auckland (reserves) or overseas pick misses out. 

Lots of CB options, at the Nix, other ALM clubs and US/UK. So if Dylan Gardiner & Jayden Smith both got selected, straight away Greenacre would be questioned re juggling two hats, and potentially favouring his Weenix crew.

Coochie outing himself as the Spelling Ref??

No not at all. My spelling ain't in that league. I blunder. But I do miss the SR.

McCowart, Garbet, and Marco (for Stamenic) are all like needles into my eyes.
New generation Nelson.

After 3.5 seasons at the Nix, the variations on Wootton never cease to amaze. Similar Paulsen.

At least McCullock or however you spell his name isn't coaching them.

The guy is more negative than Chiefy.

Thankfully I’m not concerned about cockiee and his eyes. 
I’m also not concerned if I’ve spelt a name wrong in the past and my phone always autocorrects to it, people know who I’m talking about and no one else feels the need to try belittle me for it.

Well when you went with Marco, I had to genuinely think hard about who you were talking about. 

Do we know when the squad will be announced... have players been told?

You'd expect there will be some sort of training camp & trial game(s) being held in Auckland, in next few weeks. Then they announce a squad.

You imagine most of the youth leagues in UK football are coming to an end soon. But alot of the WC candidates in Europe and Aussie may not be that well known to Greenacre. 

The U19 team who won their OFC tourney last year only had 3 guys outside of NZ. James Bulkeley (was in the UAE now States), Luka Coveny (Western United) & Keegan Kelly (US College). Odds on the WC squad will have alot more guys based overseas.

Tricky to compare a guy at Weenix verus someone on the books at West Brom. So you get them in for a camp and close up look. Still 4 weeks before these 2 games in Chile.

coochiee

You'd expect there will be some sort of training camp & trial game(s) being held in Auckland, in next few weeks. Then they announce a squad.

You imagine most of the youth leagues in UK football are coming to an end soon. But alot of the WC candidates in Europe and Aussie may not be that well known to Greenacre. 

The U19 team who won their OFC tourney last year only had 3 guys outside of NZ. James Bulkeley (was in the UAE now States), Luka Coveny (Western United) & Keegan Kelly (US College). Odds on the WC squad will have alot more guys based overseas.

Tricky to compare a guy at Weenix verus someone on the books at West Brom. So you get them in for a camp and close up look. Still 4 weeks before these 2 games in Chile.

They had a Northern ID camp/game at the very backend of April/start of May.

From memory there were about 15-16 from Auckland FC, and maybe about 10 from other Northern League sides.

I'd still expect a very Nix heavy squad for the 20's given Greenie is in charge, but no doubt a few Aucklanders will make the grade. Chuck in a handful from overseas too.

Exciting times too that we're starting to see more chances for these guys to get together and play strong teams as well. It will do wonders for our development if we can keep at it going forward.

When Greenacre does name his U20 squad for these games in Chile, folks should refer to below table, that was posted elsewhere.

Coulibaly, Middleton & McKenlay likely to be named. But maybe no one else from AFC?? Will be yes a very Nix heavy squad. So some uninformed folks (ie some Estonian fans) will rant about a perceived Greeny Nix bias.

But only 0.3% of ALM mins for U21 players at Auckland this season. The Nix U20 contingent will mostly just be further along their development pathway, many of them having played alot in the A League already.

https://football-observatory.com/WeeklyPost503

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