New Zealand Women, the Football Ferns, opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a resounding 8-0 victory over Samoa Women on February 27, 2026. As the region's top-ranked nation and a former World Cup finalist, New Zealand demonstrated their class with a dominant performance. They scored four goals in each half, with the attack finding the net through a combination of intricate team play and individual brilliance. Samoa defended bravely but was simply outmatched by the pace and precision of the New Zealand side. This result was a statement of intent from New Zealand as they began their journey to qualify for the next global tournament, topping the group table with a formidable goal difference.