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Taupō AFC junior George Green has been named in New Zealand's 21-player squad for the OFC Under-19 Men's Championship, which serves as Oceania's qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
Green, who now plays as a central midfielder for Wellington club Western Suburbs, began his football journey at Taupō AFC before moving south. Speaking to Lake FM, Green said the move came after he was scouted at an Under-19 tournament in Napier while playing for Taupō.
"Taupō was my only football club before moving down to Wellington," Green said. "I played men's football since I was about fifteen, trained with the team since I was younger, which gave me some great experience already. So when I moved down here, it was an easier transition."
Green credited former coach Steve Giles for his development, and said a scholarship to Scots College in Wellington, secured after a trial with the O'Leary Academy in late 2024, opened the door for his move.
Reflecting on the selection, Green said he sees the tournament as an opportunity to progress his career.
"I want to try and use it like a stepping stone," he said. "I want to try and take the next step in football, secure that first kind of pro contract."
New Zealand Under-19 Head Coach José Figueira, who named the squad, said it reflected the strength of New Zealand Football's player pathway system.
"We've selected a group that combines players excelling in domestic environments with others gaining experience overseas," Figueira said. "The players have worked hard to reach this point, and we're looking forward to the challenge ahead in Samoa."
New Zealand have been drawn in Group B alongside Tahiti, Fiji and Vanuatu. The Kiwis open their campaign against Tahiti on 2 September, before playing Fiji on 5 September and Vanuatu on 8 September, all kicking off at 2pm New Zealand time at the FFS Football Stadium in Apia. The top side in each group advances to the knockout stage, with two spots on offer for the 2027 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Green joins a growing list of Taupō AFC juniors to represent New Zealand at age-group level, following Dylan Gardner and Charlotte Eagles.
Matches from the tournament will be streamed live and free on OFC's YouTube channel, DAZN and FIFA+.
