Sport / Fifa Women's World Cup 2023

Photo essay: FIFA Football World Cup fans light up winter in Aotearoa

13:04 pm on 1 August 2023

Photo: Photosport

The Football Ferns may have exited but they played a large part in stirring up fan passions around the country in the cup's first 10 days.

As well as creating a strong fan base for the co-hosts, the FIFA Women's World Cup has seen supporters dress up, go on parade and swell numbers at fan zones in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin as well as attend matches in their thousands.

There are nine matches, including a semifinal in Auckland on 15 August, still to be played in New Zealand as we build towards the final, which will be held in Sydney on Sunday 20 August at 10pm.

So here's a look back at some of the fans that are making the event so memorable.

A Football Ferns fan at Eden Park in Auckland, before the match against Norway. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

This fan makes it clear which team he supports at the tournament's opener, the Football Ferns versus Norway. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Photosport.nz

Swiss fans prior to the match against the Football Ferns in Dunedin. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

A Vietnam supporter at the match against Portugal in Hamilton. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Photosport

Vietnam fans in full voice in Hamilton. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Photosport

Louise and Mathias had both options covered in their novel flag for the Football Ferns clash with Switzerland in Dunedin. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

These fans complemented each other for the Football Ferns match against Switzerland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Trinity, Holly, and Fraser travelled down from Christchurch to watch the Ferns play in Ōtepoti. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

Young Ferns supporters at Wellington Regional Stadium for the match against the Philippines. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

USA fans show their support during the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E - USA v Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium. Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa

This supporter caught the eye for the game between Japan and Zambia, at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Photosport

These women are fans of USA star Megan Rapinoe. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The Dutch were well supported in Wellington also. Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa

Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa

Tauranga Trade Aid retail manager Ingrid Otene has an impressive display of Dutch memorabilia in her shop window, for the arrival of the Netherland's women's football team in her city. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Alex Morgan has a selfie taken with a fan at Bay City Park in Auckland. Photo: Alan Lee

Fans await the arrival of the Costa Rica team. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A fan shows her support as her team took on Switzerland in Dunedin. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Philippines fans march through Wellington before their team took on - and beat - the Football Ferns. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Supporters of Spain at Eden Park before their side took on Zambia, in a Group C match. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz

The Zambia team is welcomed to New Zealand, at Auckland International Airport. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida

Silverdale Normal School students at Zambia football training in Hamilton. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Football fans arrive for Sweden v Italy, at Wellington Regional Stadium. Photo: www.photosport.nz / Masanori Udagawa