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

1:04 pm on 1 August 2023
FIFA Football World Cup fans

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 New Zealand fan and supporter.
New Zealand v Norway The opening match of the 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Thursday 20 July 2023. © image by Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

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

Fans. FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, New Zealand v Norway, Eden Park Auckland, Thursday 20th July 2023. Copyright Photo: Shane Wenzlick

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

Fans and supporters.
Women's World Cup Group A soccer match between New Zealand Football Ferns and Switzerland in Dunedin, New Zealand, Sunday, July 30, 2023 © image by Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

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

Fans during the FIFA Women's Football World Cup group E match between Portugal and Vietnam at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand on Thursday July 27, 2023. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz

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

Fans during the FIFA Women's Football World Cup group E match between Portugal and Vietnam at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand on Thursday July 27, 2023. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz

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

Louise and Mathias said they would be happy with any result in Ōtepoti. They were given a special Swiss-New Zealand combined flag at their wedding to mark their different homelands. Mathias says it's the first time they've been able to bring it out.

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

Fans and supporters.
Women's World Cup Group A soccer match between New Zealand Football Ferns and Switzerland in Dunedin, New Zealand, Sunday, July 30, 2023 © image by Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

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.

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

Young New Zealand's fans arrive for the Pool A, Match 17, New Zealand's v Philippines, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand. Tuesday 25 July 2023.
© Mandatory credit: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

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, Wellington, New Zealand on Thursday 27 July 2023.
Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa /  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

Fans during the FIFA Women's Football World Cup group C match between Zambia and Japan at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday July 22, 2023. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz

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

Fans and supporters.
USA v Netherlands. FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Wellington Regional Stadium. New Zealand. Thursday 27  July 2023.
© Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

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

Netherlands fans show their support during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Group E -  USA v Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Thursday 27 July 2023.
Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa /  www.photosport.nz

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

Netherlands fans show their support before the FIFA Women’s World Cup Group E -  USA v Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Thursday 27 July 2023.
Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa /  www.photosport.nz

Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa

Tauranga Trade Aid retail manager Ingrid Otene propped up an impressive display of Dutch memorabilia in her shop window on 19 July, 2023, for the arrival of the Netherland's women's football team.

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

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

Fans meet the Costa Rican players.

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

Fans meet the Costa Rican players.

Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Philippines fans.

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

Philippines fans in Wellington before Football World Cup  - before match against Football Ferns

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

Spanish fans and supporters. Spain v Zambia, Group Stage - Group C 2023 FIFA Women’s Football World Cup match at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday 26 July 2023. Mandatory credit: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz

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

Zambia supporters

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

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

Silverdale Normal School students at Zambia football training in Hamilton

Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Football fans arrive before the FIFA Women’s World Cup Group G -  Sweden v Italy at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 29 July 2023.
Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa /  www.photosport.nz

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

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