New Zealand referee Allys Clipsham will make her first appearance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup when she helps officiate the Group E match between Costa Rica and Colombia.
Dunedin-based Clipsham will be the assistant referee for the match at the Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódz, in Poland at 4am (NZT) on Tuesday.
Her appointment follows her debut on the FIFA international panel in 2025, and follows her work at last year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Clipsham, who is the referee development manager for Football South, began her refereeing career in 2010 and was named New Zealand Football’s Assistant Referee of the Year in 2021.
The officiating team for the Costa Rica/Colombia match demonstrates the international nature of the competition.
For the game, Clipsham will work with referee Kim Yujeong (Republic of Korea), assistant referee Heba Saadieh (Palestine) and fourth official Asaka Koizumi (Japan). The VAR officials will be Letticia Viana (Swaziland) and Maria Rivet (Mauritania).
Main photo: Allys Clipsham. Photo credit: Kirk Corrie / Phototek.
Fixture
Game to be played on Tuesday September 8, 2026
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
Group E
Costa Rica v Colombia
Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódz, Poland, 4am (NZT)
This story was first published on September 7, 2026.