In 2006 New Zealand Football won the rights to host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take place between the 28th of October and the 16th of November this year. New Zealand will go down in football history as the first host of this inaugural FIFA World Cup Event.

The tournament will involve 16 countries playing a total of 32 games in the four host cities around New Zealand, namely; Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Christchurch. New Zealanders will be privileged with the opportunity to watch a truly global tournament being played in your own backyard this year.

The qualification process has involved more than 100 countries and is still taking place in Europe, Africa and North America. Six teams from Asia and South America have already booked their places including Korea DPR, Japan, Korea Republic, Columbia, Brazil and Paraguay. New Zealand automatically qualifies as the host country and therefore the only Oceania representative. There are a remarkable 41 countries from UEFA currently trying to qualify for our event which reinforces to us the importance of this new FIFA World Cup.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup has already attracted a range of subsidiary events to the host cities and will continue to do so in the lead up to the tournament. This has included regional visits from Hope Powell, England women’s national coach, Sonia Denoncourt, FIFA Head of Women’s Referees and a host of distinguished FIFA staff attending the Regional Com-Unity Seminars in our four host cities.

We are lucky enough to have our very own Prime Minister Helen Clark as the Honorary President of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. We are also very pleased to announce that following a recent second inspection visit in February, the Zurich-based delegation from football’s international governing body praised our staff preparations and venues at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium, Waikato Stadium, Wellington Stadium and Christchurch’s QEII Stadium – our four confirmed stadiums for the event.

Auckland will host the opening game and final with Christchurch hosting the semi finals and Wellington and Hamilton hosting the quarter finals.  All four cities will host three double header pool games. Over 100 FIFA representatives will be in New Zealand during this event.  Already more than 155 territories have taken the broadcasting rights for the event.

We are in the process of finalising agreements with all of the host city councils which is fantastic news of the Local Oganising Committee. Each of the host city councils have committed to providing a vast range of marketing support for this event, including dressing their cities. 


Calling for volunteers

We are now at the stage where we are calling for interest from motivated people who wish to volunteer their time to help us run this top quality international football event. If you, or someone you know, would like to get involved in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup then please contact us.  Volunteers will get to watch great football, meet new friends of all ages and rub shoulders with tomorrow’s stars. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, an official adidas uniform and other benefits including meals and gifts. FIFA are known to be world leaders in international event management. Having the opportunity to work on this FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will provide you with fantastic event management experience and look great on your CV.

For more information please read the section on Volunteers in our Newsletter.


Fantastic deals for the NZ football family

If you are involved with football in New Zealand, then you should be receiving within the next few days information on our exciting Group Football Ticket package for this FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. We as an organisation have decided to provide a discounted and incentivised ticket package for all of New Zealand’s football family including players, parents, administrators, coaches, friends and families. Clubs will be expected to sell these football group ticket packages in order to help spread the word as well as raise funds for their club. Keep an eye out for this information.

Here’s to New Zealand hosting a fantastic FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
 

Yours in football

Chris Simpson
Chief Executive
FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup