The three-time winner of the U-20 Women’s World Cup,Team USA arrived today along with Oceania’s leading contender New Zealand.
The Black Princesses from Ghana also arrived early this morning to a rousing welcome at the Jackson’s International Airport.
The US Stars and Stripes already pose a threat before the tournament begins having featured in the FIFA Women’s World Cups seven times since its inception in 2002.
Winning the tournament three times the Americans edged North American rivals and tournament hosts Canada to claim the inaugural U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The Americans will be eager to get their dominance back on track on the world stage in this competition with key players in the likes of Mallory Pugh, Ashley Sanchez and Jessie Scarpa.
Meanwhile New Zealand’s Junior Football Ferns have qualified for the U-20 Women’s World Cup 6 times with the squad boasting extensive experience at international level, and eight players in the qualifying tournament were veterans of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
However Papua New Guinea 2016 will be a unique opportunity for New Zealand to play on the world stage in their own continent with the tournament being the first at this level to be played in Oceania.
Although the Black Princesses will be featuring in their fourth consecutive FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, the west Africans are still waiting for their first quarter-final appearance.
After scoring just one goal en route to Canada 2014, the Black Princesses tallied 17 in six qualifiers this time making their 4th appearance.
This concludes the arrival of all 16 participating teams.
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016 will have kick off this Sunday.
