CALLED UP: Wilkinson and Bowen selected for home World Cup

Melbourne City duo Hannah Wilkinson and Katie Bowen have been selected to represent the New Zealand Football Ferns at the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand.

The co-hosts are in Group A, alongside Norway, Philippines and Switzerland.

🇳🇿 Congratulations to Hannah Wilkinson and Katie Bowen who are #FIFAWWC bound with the Football Ferns!

A big shoutout to City legend, Rebekah Stott, who has also been named in @NZ_Football's squad. 🌏🏆 pic.twitter.com/HjiB5l7mGY
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) June 30, 2023

Wilkinson and Bowen are set to take part in the tournament’s opening fixture, as New Zealand host European heavyweights, Norway, at Eden Park on Thursday 20 July.

In an impressive feat, Wilkinson will feature in her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. City’s all-time leading ALW goal scorer made her first World Cup appearance in 2011, scoring a dramatic late equaliser for the Ferns in their final group stage clash with Mexico. The striker has since featured at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments.

The ever-versatile Bowen has also been selected for her fourth World Cup tournament, representing New Zealand in Germany, Canada and France.

World Cup, ready! 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/Rmgl7C3NOK
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) June 30, 2023

Joining Wilkinson and Bowen in the Ferns squad is City legend, Rebekah Stott. The selection of City’s former history-making defender adds another chapter to her remarkable comeback from Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, an inspiration for many both on and off the field.