The Ford Football Ferns will kick off 2023 by taking on the FIFA Women’s World Cup champions the USA for the first time ever on home soil in January 2023.

The Ferns will play a two-game series against the USA at Sky Stadium, Wellington / Te Whanganui-A-Tara and Eden Park, Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau on Wednesday 18 January and Saturday 21 January respectively. Both games kick off at 4pm.

Tickets for both games will go on sale to Football Whānau members on November 16. Adult tickets are $20, kids $5.

Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková is looking forward to the occasion and what it will bring to the team’ FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 preparations.

“This is a great opportunity for our players to experience two of our World Cup venues ahead of our opening game of the tournament on 20 July next year,” she says.

“An important part of preparing for our home world cup is playing big teams in big stadiums, and learning to deal with the pressure that comes with playing world class opposition at home – and there’s no greater test than the reigning world champions. This is an opportunity for more of our players to experience these high profile games, and begin a year where we play at home more than ever before.”

New Zealand Football chief executive officer Andrew Pragnell is looking forward to the world champions arriving on New Zealand shores.

“What better way to kick off massive year of football in Aotearoa New Zealand than by hosting the world champions the USA?” he says.

“This is an opportunity for Kiwis to see some of the trailblazers in the game before New Zealand’s biggest ever sports event kicks off, and a fantastic opportunity to set new crowd records for women’s football in Aotearoa.

“With family-friendly kick off times and affordable tickets there’s no better way to round off the kiwi summer than with the opportunity to watch the world’s best in our backyard.

“We can’t wait to welcome our US Soccer counterparts to football in Aotearoa.”

The USA have won a record four FIFA Women’s World Cups (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019), and are chasing an unprecedented third straight win in 2023. They will be based in Aotearoa New Zealand for the group stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, where they will play Vietnam and Play Off Tournament Winner A at Eden Park, and face the Netherlands at Sky Stadium in a rematch of the 2019 final.

Match details

Ford Football Ferns vs USA

Wednesday 18 January, 2023
Sky Stadium, Wellington / Te Whanganui-A-Tara
4pm kick off NZT

Saturday 21 January, 2023
Eden Park, Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
4pm kick off NZT

Tickets for both games will go on sale November 16 to Football Whānau members. Adult tickets are $20, kids $5. Sign up to Football Whānau at www.nzfootball.co.nz/footballwhanau

Article added: Thursday 03 November 2022