New Zealand’s Ali Riley has been ruled out of the women’s soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics.
Head coach Michael Mayne has decided to withdraw Riley on “medical grounds” before New Zealand begin their Olympic campaign against Canada on Thursday. Michaela Foster has been called up as her replacement.
“This decision to medically withdraw Ali has not been easy,” Mayne said. “She has done everything in her control to get herself ready to compete ahead of what would have been her fifth Olympic Games.
“She is a veteran of this team, and someone that holds a lot of mana in the group, so we are hurting for her but also want her to get back to her best.
“She has had dedicated medical teams in both club and international environments working to try and get us into the best possible position for her to take to the field and perform as the team knows she can and needed her to against the opposition we will face.
“After many conversations leading to making this decision, and with time against us, I have had to replace her in order to utilise the small window I have to bring another player into the squad for the three group games.
Foster will replace Riley (Sebastian Barros/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“Using the information I have, after playing out a number of scenarios that could impact the team once the bubble closes and looking after Ali’s well-being, I have made the decision to withdraw her.
“This was definitely not a situation where it has been clear-cut on the best course of action, but this is the decision I have taken which I believe will be best for the team and to allow Ali to start her recovery. I know the team wishes her well on her injury.”
Foster’s promotion from alternate player to full squad member sees defender Grace Neville, a non-traveling reserve for the tournament, called up to join the team in France from Wednesday.
Riley’s withdrawal will come as a blow to New Zealand, with the Angel City star one of the most experienced members of the squad.
She made her senior debut in 2007 and has represented New Zealand in multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games.
Riley played every minute of the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics and featured in Tokyo in 2020. The 36-year-old has been capped 155 times.
Foster, meanwhile, is a 25-year-old left-back who recently joined Auckland United last month.
She had previously played for Wellington Phoenix, having signed for the New Zealand-based side in 2022, and went on to make 37 appearances, scoring two goals.
New Zealand face Canada in their opening match of Group A at the Games on Thursday.
How much of a blow is this for New Zealand?
Analysis by Meg Linehan
Riley has struggled with injuries for most of 2024 so far, missing out on New Zealand’s Olympic qualifiers and only appearing in a handful of Angel City games so far this season. Despite concerns about her playing time in the Olympic Games, Riley emphasised her role as captain and leader of the Ferns. She expressed her commitment to supporting her team-mates in any capacity, both on and off the field.
This would have been Riley’s fifth Olympics, and likely her final major tournament. She’s made no announcements about the future of her international career, and signed a contract extension with Angel City through to the end of the 2025 NWSL season.
Foster, who replaces Riley on the roster, does have leadership experience to help fill the gap of their now-missing captain. She captained New Zealand’s Under-17 side at the 2016 Under-17 World Cup, and the Under-20 squad two years later at the Under-20 World Cup in 2018. She made her senior team debut in 2023.
(Guillermo Martinez/Europa Press via Getty Images)
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