Fans watch the training of United States Women’s National Team at Bay City Park, Auckland, New Zealand on 12 July, 2023 ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Photo: Alan Lee / Photosport
Football fever is sweeping through the United States, as fans make their way to Aotearoa, for start of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
They are the hot favourites to take out the trophy and big numbers are expected. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment estimates about 15,000 fans will be travelling to Aotearoa from the United States alone.
For Kristen Pariseau, it had been her dream to attend a World Cup tournament for years.
''As soon as 2019 ended, I regretted not going to France so I just started saving money, putting as much aside as I could, started saving SkyMiles for flights and I have been planning this for four years. I probably would have went even if they were playing in Antarctica."
Pariseau flew over from the US and is in Brisbane, before she heads to New Zealand. She also created a Facebook page for US fans coming here, which already had more than 8000 followers.
Alex Navarro, who was coming to Auckland from San Francisco with her wife and two daughters, said they were thrilled to find out where the cup was being hosted.
"It didn't matter where it was going to be, we were going to go. New Zealand is just a beautiful country. I mean, I am guessing the pictures do not do it justice."
Fans watch the training of United States Women’s National Team at Bay City Park, Auckland, New Zealand on 12 July, 2023 ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Photo: Alan Lee / Photosport
Navarro was excited to watch the US and Dutch teams play and feel the atmosphere.
''I think that there is nothing that makes me proud to see other girls being the bad-asses that they are, and all the wonderful things that they are doing."
For Heidi Slinkman, her love for the game was solidified when she got to watch the 2015 finals from her hospital bed in Wisconsin, when waiting for the arrival of her daughter, Victoria.
"The whole delivery unit in the hospital was cheering on the national team, we had it on all the TV screens, it was awesome and so the game ended and I was happy I didn't miss it because I said and prayed, 'please don't come during World Cup finals'."
She was able to see goals from one of her favourite forward and midfield players at the time, Carli Lloyd. Heidi got to meet her a few years later, which made her add attending a FIFA World Cup to her bucket-list.
''I have a photograph now with Carli Lloyd and I was wearing her jersey, number 10, that moment solidified it, like I have to get to the World Cup."
Heidi will be travelling from Wisconsin and also plans to eat her way through the country.
Alex Morgan has a selfie taken with a fan at Bay City Park in Auckland Photo: Alan Lee
For Randall King and his family, the trip from Kentucky was sentimental.
''Growing up as a kid, we always knew my dad lived here [New Zealand] when he was young, he had stuff on his shelves from the time he was over here.
"It never seemed like something that we'd ever actually get to all go together."
He said it was his idea to make this trip work to visit the country. King said his father had not been back in 50 years.
''I don't think I would have done that if it had been another country. Just tying into the fact that it's a chance to bring my dad and also so that he can show some of his kids and his wife the country."
The FIFA Women's World Cup begins on Thursday, with the first game being held at Auckland's Eden Park. Kick-off is at 7pm.