Although no matches will be held in Christchurch, Cantabrian football fans can still feel part of this amazing event, as our city will be the Team Basecamp and proudly host Japan and Costa Rica during one of the largest sporting events of the decade. Kicking off Thursday 20th July at Eden Park and played across Australia and New Zealand, 32 teams will play Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin alongside the major capital cities in Australia.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, FIFA has introduced Team Base Camps – headquarters for each team that include accommodation and training facilities. There are 21 venues across the country earmarked for Team Base Camps. Of these, 16 have been selected to be used by teams throughout the tournament. Currently ranked 11th in the world, Nadeshiko Japan will be based out of Christchurch Stadium, and Las Ticas Costa Rica will use the recently upgraded facilities at Ngā Puna Wai.
FIFA’s ‘Tournament Mission’ is to showcase the world’s best female players, engage audiences with a world class event, and blaze a trail for women’s empowerment. Alongside expecting upwards of 30,000 international visitors over the course of the tournament, FIFA’s goals also include increasing women and girls’ participation and engagement in football, sport and active recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.