Auckland FC’s Women’s side brings in local talent to complete the squad, ready to take on Chelsea FC Women on August 8th.
LAURA BENNETT
The Football Ferns youth international, who trains with the Auckland FC Women’s Talent Development Centre, makes the step up to the AFC Women’s Invitational XI. Bennett currently captains Melville United and has played at the U-17 Women’s World Cup and toured Australia with the U-20 Football Ferns.
ZOE DOUGHTY
Fencibles United’s starting goalkeeper joins the Auckland FC invitational squad. The talented American played at the NCAA D1 at William and Mary University before joining AS Monaco and now playing a big role with Fencibles in attempting to secure National League qualification.
PIPER O’NEILL
O’Neill is one of many Auckland United players joining the Auckland FC Invitational XI to take on Chelsea FC Women. The Auckland United Academy graduate debuted for the club in 2024, going on to win 3 OFC Champions League titles with the club. She is another Junior Football Fern in the squad, having played all 3 matches at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025.
ALAINA GRANGER
The 22-year-old defender has become a rock at the back for Auckland United, making over 100 senior appearances for the side. Granger has won everything there is to win at United, while being named the club’s Player of the Year in 2025 and appearing at the FIFA Champions Cup with the club.
TALISHA GREEN
The Auckland United captain joins the Auckland FC Invitational XI, having captained the side to 10 Major honours. She won the Golden Ball in the 2024 OFC Champions League as Auckland United won the competition, an impressive feat for a defender.
SASKIA VOSPER
Vosper joins the Auckland United contingent in the Auckland FC Invitational XI, another member of the club’s exceptional backline. The defender was an inaugural member of the Wellington Phoenix Women’s side in 2021, playing two seasons with the club before joining Auckland United. She capped off a standout 2025 by winning the 2025 OFC Golden Ball, named best player at the OFC Women’s Champions League after helping Auckland United win back-to-back titles in Tahiti.
ANIELA JENSEN
The 24-year-old Auckland United and Football Ferns midfielder adds to the local talent in the Auckland FC squad. Jensen has been part of the recent success at Auckland United, previously playing for the University of the Pacific in California. The midfielder has multiple call-ups to the Football Ferns as well as appearances for the U-20 squad.
OLIVIA INGHAM
Ingham joins the Auckland FC Invitational XI as a player with A-League and National League experience. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder was the first Wellington Phoenix Women’s Academy player, playing for the club for three seasons and making appearances for the U-17 and U-20 Football Ferns along the way. Since joining Auckland United, she’s racked up over 20 goal involvements for the club.
With the squad now confirmed, Auckland FC and its fans can look ahead to the clash against the dominant, eight-time WSL champions, Chelsea FC Women, on Saturday 8 August, 4pm at Eden Park, in a landmark moment for New Zealand football.
For the first time ever, local stars take the pitch against one of the world’s most dominant clubs in the NZ International Football Festival.
Get your tickets here.
