July 13, (THEWILL) – FIFA has announced plans to give away 20,000 complimentary tickets for the Women’s World Cup matches in New Zealand as ticket sales have been slow in the host country.
Co-hosts Australia have been leading in ticket purchases, with their national team, the ‘Matildas,’ being considered strong contenders for the title.
Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s chief women’s football officer, acknowledged the challenges of attracting fans to soccer stadiums in New Zealand due to the sport’s lower profile in the country. The New Zealand team, known as the ‘Football Ferns,’ has yet to secure a victory in their five previous World Cup appearances.
The official partner of the event, Xero, is also offering 5,000 complimentary tickets to games across the four host cities. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has started to actively promote the tournament, encouraging fans to seize the opportunity to attend matches.
The country’s campaign will begin on July 20 with a match against former champions Norway in Auckland.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
