By: Leota Marc Membrere, Govt Press. Samoa’s football team that will be flying our colours at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025 games have been named.
The team will be competing at the 9th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled to be played between 17 October and 8 November.
This is the first time that Samoa will be taking part in this incredible opportunity for our players to test their resilience and skills.
Their qualifying for this opportunity last year was a historical outcome for the team.
The squad was revealed by Coach Juan Chang Urrea on Thursday last week highlighting many of the players are some of the finest talents from the U-16 teams, hailing from Samoa, the United States of America, New Zealand, and Australia.
The passionate players that have made the U-17 team are;
Reyna Tufuga,
Margaet Fagasuisui Tui,
Siatunuu McCarthy,
Alia Loua,
Simone Blood,
Mikayla Afoa,
Mia Afoa,
Breanna Kitiona,
Ayres Ava,
Jhalilah, Leonard Makeli,
Leah Atuaia,
Brielle Tautua,
Macey Tuiolosega,
Taimane Devoux,
Makea Leonard,
Cali Willis,
Holly Leapai,
Aaliyah Johnson, and
Jayde Elredge Sagapolutele
Speaking on behalf of Samoa Football, President Papali’i Samuel Leslie Petaia was emotional when addressing the team indicating his pride in their achievements.
“When I became President six years ago [I] never in my wildest dreams [thought] a Samoan team will make it to a world cup, let alone a youth world cup,” he said.
“I was only hopeful that one day maybe not during my time, maybe not during our boards time, I was hopeful that maybe in the next twenty years when we’re not in football as administrators and trustees of the game, but our children our relatives who are passionate about football can continue to uplift and try our best so Samoa can be known as a football nation.”
In awe of watching what was merely a dream years ago become reality he said, he was not speaking from a script.
Rather, “I am speaking from the heart because it means a lot to me, the sacrifices these players have done.”
“It’s hard I know you live far away from Samoa, but you have made our small nation proud, and we are grateful for your sacrifice, we are grateful for your parents sacrifice. Some of you have travelled from afar to [show you] support,” Papali’i says.
Papali’i told the team that whenever you wear that blue jersey like any other sport, you know it means a lot.
On behalf of Samoa Football, Papali’i thanked the team for their dedication and for their achievements.
FIFA U-17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP MOROCCO 2025 ™
FIFA reports this will be the first time the competition is contested by 24 teams: four from AFC, five from CAF (including Morocco), four from Concacaf, four from CONMEBOL, five from UEFA, and two from OFC.
Morocco will be the first country on the African continent and just the second Arab country to host the tournament and Korea DPR are the current champions after breaking Spain’s hegemony in the 2024 edition.
Sources: Samoa Football, Government of Samoa.
- Government Honours Police Service and Remembers those Lost in the Line of Duty - September 29, 2026
- Maota Airport Set to Reopen in October - September 29, 2026
- Prime Minister Calls on Members of Parliament to be Drug Tested Next - April 2, 2026
