2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: New Zealand’s Football Ferns Ready to Make History
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to be a historic event, as it will be the first time that 32 nations will compete in the tournament. Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand are ready to welcome the world to their shores, and the Football Ferns of New Zealand are determined to make their mark on the tournament.
The tournament will kick off on 20 July with New Zealand taking on Norway in the opening game. It will be a proud moment for New Zealand, as they have not won a single game in 15 attempts at any of their previous five appearances on the global stage.
Michaela Foster: From Supermarket Worker to World Cup Star
One of the stars of the New Zealand team is defender Michaela Foster. Last October, she was working in a supermarket after her initial contract at Wellington Phoenix left her requiring a second job to supplement her wage. But since then, she has established herself at Phoenix, made her debut for the Football Ferns and been picked for her country’s home World Cup.
When Michaela found out she had been called up, she phoned her dad. She said: “I think he ran out of a meeting to take it, so it was quick phone call but a very proud one, and then I spent an hour on the phone talking to mum about it. It was really special to share that moment with them both.”
New Zealand’s Ambitions for the Tournament
The Football Ferns have the backing of the All Blacks as well as a home crowd roaring them on at the biggest women’s football tournament yet. The team has been preparing for the tournament since FIFA announced in 2020 that New Zealand and Australia would co-host the event.
Up until 10 July, when New Zealand earned a warm-up win over Vietnam, they had gone 11 years since winning on home soil. Their ambitions at this World Cup are modest, but they are determined to make an impact.
Coach Jitka Klimkova will lead a New Zealand side hoping to record a landmark win or two in a group featuring 1995 world champions Norway, Switzerland and World Cup debutants the Philippines.
When the Football Ferns win, they celebrate by eating ice cream. Klimkova is determined to ensure that ice cream is back on the menu over the next few weeks.
Eyes of the World on New Zealand
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is an immensely proud moment for a nation where rugby and cricket usually dominate the sporting agenda. Around 30,000 international visitors are expected to visit the islands for the tournament, while more than 300,000 advanced tickets have been sold for 29 games in Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton.
Eden Park’s capacity for this World Cup is 40,536 and a full house is expected on Thursday when the opening ceremony is followed by a game in which the Football Ferns play at the national stadium for only a second time.
American-born Kiwi defender Ali Riley, who will be New Zealand’s co-captain along with Tottenham’s Ria Percival at the tournament, said: “After seeing the Euros, I’m all the more convinced that this is going to be an incredible World Cup and that new standards will be set. People can no longer say that no-one cares [about women’s football] because it’s been shown beyond doubt that they do.”
Watching and Listening to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be broadcast around the world on BBC television, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app; listen to commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; follow live text on BBC Sport website. Click here for Women’s World Cup TV schedule.
It promises to be an exciting tournament and one that will make history for New Zealand and women’s football around the world.