Podcasts about 2023 fifa women's world cup

Organisers of the FIFA Women's World Cup are thrilled with the legacy left by the event.  Auckland played a major role in the tournament by hosting nine matches.  Over $87 million in GDP was injected into the region's economy, surpassing the initial projection by just under 50%.  MBIE NZ Major Events Manager Kylie Hawker-Green told Mike Hosking that the event exceeded expectations.  She says the tournament boosted the economy in the quieter months of July and August.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland continues to prove that it's the sporting capital of the country.  The city played a major role in this year's FIFA Women's World Cup - hosting nine matches.  As a result, more than $87 million in GDP was injected into the region's economy, and over 175,000 guest nights were recorded in the city.  Tataki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill told Tim Dower that Auckland's hotels, restaurants, and tourist hot spots all bought in to the event.  He said Auckland hosting the United States team made a big difference.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new FIFA report has published some eye-opening stats into social media abuse. Players at the football Women's World Cup were 29 percent more likely to receive online abuse than those at the men's tournament in 2022, according to new data. One in five Women's World Cup players, a total of 152, received "targeted discriminatory, abusive or threatening messaging". Former Football Fern Katie Duncan says it's 'saddening' that online abuse has gotten this extreme. "It's good for it to be actually recorded from the players, it just gives them data so hopefully more can be done for the statistics- for the data to be lower."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An internal investigation has been launched by Spain's football federation after Luis Rubiales activated their sexual violence protocol. The federation president was suspended by FIFA after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's Women's World Cup win. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Luis Rubiales' actions have inspired protests and backlash- and the federation is taking this investigation quite seriously. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

England have failed to add the women's football World Cup to their cabinet, beaten 1-nil by Spain in the final at Sydney. The European champions were dominated in the first half, with Spanish captain Olga Carmona driving home the game's goal in the 29th minute. Sportstalk host Jason Pine breaks down yesterday's victory here. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain may have won the FIFA Women's World Cup, but it looks like New Zealand has also done well out of it. The Spanish have had a fast rise to the top of women's football, beating England 1-nil in last night's final in Sydney. The tournament was shared by Australia and New Zealand. More than 340,000 fans packed through the gates of Eden Park to catch the Auckland games, and more than 85,000 went to the city's fan festival. Auckland Unlimited Arts, Entertainment, and Events Director, Richard Clarke, told Mike Hosking that all the fans have boosted the local economy. He says hotel occupancy was up 50% on last year, and more people equals more spending. Games were also played in Hamilton, Wellington, and Dunedin. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup final, Piney chats with football reporter for The Athletic, Charlotte Harpur, to discuss where the game will be won and lost. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney catches up with NZ Herald Football writer Bonnie Jansen, who is in Sydney for the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney and Bonnie review the Women's World Cup final with Spain beating England 1-0 to lift the trophy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney caught up with outgoing Sky Stadium CEO Shane Harmon to reflect on the part the venue's played in the FIFA Womens World Cup. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney caught up with NZ Herald Football writer Michael Burgess to look at the remaining two games in the FIFA Womens World Cup. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hosts on Fox Sport Australia were bamboozled by a question earlier this week.  What's the biggest winter sport in Australia?  Is it Rugby League and the excellent entertainment of the NRL? Is it Aussie Rules? Or could it now, be football?  Sadly, it goes without saying that it isn't rugby, and I'd suggest that even when the Rugby World Cup kicks off, only so many Australians will even realise it's on.  At a time when all sorts of different things are vying for our attention, the Matildas' semi-final in the FIFA World Cup obliterated TV ratings records. In Australia, it was the most-watched TV event in more than two decades.  The key with football is the low barrier to entry. Grassroots participation isn't totally dominated by one gender. You don't need money to have a kick around with your friends. And you can explain the key rules in just a few sentences: Your team has to get the ball in the goal and stop the other team from getting it in yours. Only the goalies can use their hands. You can challenge the ball, but you can't tackle people.  That's it. Sure, there's an offside rule and passback restrictions but the basic rules are stunningly, beautifully simple. And even the way they're enforced allows the game to flow. No one agonises over taking a throw-in from the exact mark.  I don't want to pick on rugby, but the contrasts are stark. I've watched, played, and loved rugby all of my life. But there are still infringements at the breakdown that leave me totally confused. Sometimes even the commentators don't understand what's happened.  Football's making a play at the moment into markets where historically it's been a bit of a second-tier sport. At the same time as its recording record ratings in Australia, arguably the greatest footballer of all time has chosen to eschew the Saudi clubs to play in the United States. The average ticket to Lionel Messi's first game for Inter Miami was selling only for $NZ 1200. The crowd included Serena Williams, LeBron James, the Beckham family, and Kim Kardashian. It was more than a football match – it was a cultural event.  It's fair enough to expect that when the World Cup hype has died down a bit, the buzz around football in Australia will die back a bit, too.  Personally, I think it's only a matter of time. It won't happen overnight. Rugby, rugby league, and netball, will all still hold a special place in New Zealand. Basketball will continue to go from strength to strength.  But fast-forward a few decades from now. I reckon football will be the most-played sport, the most-followed sport, the most popular sport in New Zealand, too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian women's football team's world cup campaign ended last night following a 3-1 loss to England.  However, the tournament has inspired the country to watch and get involved with football. Australian correspondent Murray Olds talked to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the tournament's legacy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who holds the favourites tag heading into tonight's semifinal between Australia and England at the Football World Cup? It's Australia's first-ever semi-final appearance at a World Cup, with suggestions the Matildas are the underdogs of the match- to the annoyance of the UK press. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what we can expect come kickoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matildas mania has reached a fever pitch ahead of their semi-final match against England. 75,000 fans will pack into Sydney's Stadium Australia to watch both teams clash for a spot in the title decider. Former Matilda and Football Australia's Head of Women's Football Sarah Walsh says the team's in uncharted territory as they enter their first semi-final- but they want to go all the way. "They're hard to not love. Coming from the group stages, this groundswell here has been unbelievable. I've even been shocked how they've been able to convert non-sporting fans into sporting fans." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Eden Park is set to play host to another record-breaking Women's World Cup match. Spain will face off against Sweden for a chance in the final, and the final match hosted in New Zealand is predicted to make history for the stadium. Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner says the success of the Women's World Cup has shown the world what's possible for the region. "It's certainly exceeded a lot of people's expectations. We knew this was the biggest women's sporting event in the world and the biggest event to come to our shores." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain and Sweden are set to battle it out for a spot in the Women's World Cup final tonight. New Zealand hosts its 29th and final match tonight, where thousands of fans will watch one of the most competitive matches of the tournament. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what we can expect from tonight's match- and why Spain are the favourites to win. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, North Shore Councillor Richard Hills and Trish Sherson of Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day, and more! Grant Robertson's copping flack from National over yesterday's heated interview over Labour's GST-free fruit and veg policy. National's Nicola Willis says it's completely over the top for Robertson to hit back. Why did Robertson react so emotionally? Labour's new election promise will allow partners to take multiple weeks of paid parental leave. It would start with two weeks and go up to four weeks by 2026. Is there merit to this idea? The last FIFA Women's World Cup match in New Zealand is on tonight- why are we so into it? Have we just missed big events? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney and Bonnie preview tonight's first semi-final with Spain and Sweden set to do battle at Eden Park. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I went to the football at Eden Park on Friday night. It was great, an almost full stadium and probably -without a lie- the loudest roars from a crowd that I've ever heard. All of the tech was there, they had a drone above the grounds- and everyone who was anyone was there.  Government ministers, political figures, national sports bosses, small business owners, former national footballers, it was the place to be on Friday night. And the thing that occurred to me was that it could've been a men's game- that's how good the quality of everything was. And isn't that the crucial point? The quality you get with women's sport is different. If you want to watch a women's Super Rugby game, you have to haul ass to Levin to watch an afternoon game in your gummies, like you're watching schoolboy rugby. Or you tune in to some grainy coverage that looks like something out of 1990s rugby coverage. But this tournament had good stadia, good kick off times, good commentators and good camera operators.  I had exactly the same thought when I watched the women's Rugby World Cup final a while back. A good stadium, a good kick off time, good commentators, good camera operators- it was nice to watch.  And that, I reckon, is part of the reason people have turned up and tuned into this World Cup.  Because it is a good quality event, and it's been given the resources to make it enjoyable for us as modern crowds.  I'm not a hopeless optimistic and I'm not going to make the argument that if you simply resource women's sport properly, you'll attract the same crowds as men's sport. You won't, it's not going to happen. At least part of the reason the stadia was full for this tournament was that the tickets were extremely cheap and the organisers gave thousands away. But even then, the turnout was impressive. Because New Zealand is not a football country, and it is definitely not a women's football country. But the lesson here is that there's not point hoping we will do the right thing and go watch women's sport, and there's no point in women's sport advocates trying to harangue people into going. The sports bosses have to make it quality if they want us to come. And we'll come. The crowds  won't be as big as men's crowds, that's life. But people will go if it's worth going, like this tournament has hands down proved. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Australia versus Europe in the final four of the FIFA Women's World Cup. The Matildas squeezed past France 7-6 on penalties in Brisbane, while England came from 1-nil down to beat Colombia 2-1. The semis will also see Spain tackling Sweden in Auckland and England taking on Australia in Sydney. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains what we can expect come Tuesday. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Matildas are through to the semi-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup. Australian football commentator Georgia Rajic was sideline, and she chats to Piney about the occasion and the nerves across Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney caught up with FIFA Womens World Cup CEO Dave Beeche to discuss the success of the tournament. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney and Bonnie break down the first two exhilarating quarter-finals and look ahead to tonight's action across the Tasman. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 2288: Our popular article of the day is 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Infrastructure is hogging the headlines as Labour and National push separate priorities. Unfortunately both priorities are pressing. But this is the New Zealand way. We ration our spending which invariably means everything costs more and happens too late. But there is a much criticised piece of infrastructure that is currently working very well. I'm talking about Eden Park which is taking a starring turn at the Women's World Cup. The weekend game of Spain versus Switzerland saw a new record for a football match in New Zealand. 43,217 spectators for a game that featured no New Zealanders. It's the third time the record has been set in the tournament as the audience enjoys the experience enough to go multiple times. Now where I live has been the base for a number of travelling supporters of teams and I have taken the time to have a chat to them about their experience. The love the stadium. They say it's quirky and has character and they are aware of the venue's history. They're a little surprised at the the lack of rooves but that is also a part of its charm. They've been impressed how quickly the stadium empties and how easy it was to train back to the city. Back in the city they've loved our restaurants. One couple I talked to from New York couldn't believe the quality of their meals and their prices compared to restaurants back home. A family from Arkansas raved to me about the Commercial Bay food hall, saying how quick and cheap and good the meals were for a family. They've also used the fan zone a lot, which is right beside the construction site where 2 people were shot dead at the start of the tournament. When I asked them if they had seen anything scary they said no. In fact, everyone commented on how nice New Zealanders are and how many people had gone out of their way to help and talk to them. It's worth remembering that the USA team alone brought 15,000 supporters with them, and so far I've yet to find a supporter who will not go home and rave about our country. Meanwhile their boost to the local economy has been very welcome. All this stands in direct contrast to many New Zealanders who believe that we've lost our mojo and our ambition and we are becoming the laughing stock of the world. We're halfway through and the Women's World Cup is proving to be an outstanding success on a global scale. Well done. Let's bid for the men's event, shall we? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney and Bonnie review last night's World Cup action which saw the double defending champion United States eliminated on penalties by Sweden. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Football Fern Kirsty Yallop caught up with Piney about the FIFA Women's World Cup, how the knockout stages are shaping up, and whether New Zealand should be happy with their performance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For all the angst heading into the tournament, Kiwis have absolutely stepped up for the FIFA Women's World Cup. I'll admit I was a bit nervous for the tournament's local organisers as kick-off neared. There wasn't really much buzz. No real sense of occasion. And I worried that for what is a massive tournament in the context of global sport – arguably the biggest tournament ever hosted on New Zealand soil – we might show ourselves to be a bit miserable. Don't forget, just days before it officially began, FIFA's boss Gianni Infantino paused a press conference, picked out the New Zealand media in attendance, and made a direct plea down the camera barrels for their audiences to get out and actually buy tickets. To the best of my knowledge, he didn't feel that was necessary with the Australians. The nature of the tournament meant that some of the pool games were the likeliest to have small audiences. It's an exciting time because there are games almost every day, but if we're honest, Zambia vs Costa Rica is unlikely in this part of the World to drum up the same kind of enthusiasm as it might elsewhere. Once you get to the knockout stages, the drama is greater, the games are closer, and it's reasonable to expect the crowds are consistently big. But get this. Of the twenty-four pool games played in New Zealand, the average crowd was more than 21,000 fans. More than half a million total fans. That's fantastic. For the big games we've had record numbers in attendance. But even Zambia vs Costa Rica drew more than 8000 people to Waikato Stadium. And anyone who has attended a game will attest to how much fun it's been. I live within walking distance of Eden Park. Fans are constantly making their way to the stadium with flags and face paint and jerseys for their respective countries. It feels properly global in a way that few events here ever do. We should thank the Football Ferns for their part in this. That opening night was thrilling. Although they didn't progress to the knock-out stages, they played a major role in igniting our collective excitement. But it's funny, I went back and looked at that Gianni Infantino press conference, where he effectively begged Kiwis to go out and buy football tickets. He said one extra thing I hadn't noticed at the time.   “Do the right thing.” He needn't have. My experience at the FIFA World Cup is that fans haven't attended out of charity. They haven't attended out of a sense of duty to try and promote the women's game. They've attended because it's been really exciting, skillful, high-drama football. We might have left the ticket-buying to the last minute, but there's no doubt New Zealanders have wanted to be there. Now, we're at the knockout stages. Some of the biggest names in World football are struggling or have already been knocked out. The tournament feels like it's anyone's. And I for one, don't want it to end.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney and Bonnie preview the first two round-of-16 matches with Switzerland playing Spain and Japan meeting Norway. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney and Bonnie break down the final World Cup pool matches, including World no.2 Germany failing to make the knockout rounds. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney and Bonnie break down another incredible night at the World Cup as South Africa and Jamaica go through at the expense of Italy and Brazil. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney and Bonnie review the latest World Cup action, including a narrow escape for the USA and a big win for England. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States are hours away from their pivotal football World Cup group clash against Portugal at Eden Park tonight. The US needs at least a draw to advance to the round of 16, with a loss putting the four-time world champions in danger of being bundled out early. Kick-off is at 7pm. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what viewers can expect tonight. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Piney reviews the latest World Cup action as Australia put on a show for a packed house in Melbourne and Japan produce a tactical masterclass against Spain. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Football Ferns are out of the World Cup after drawing nil-all with round-of-16-bound Switzerland in Group A. Norway's 6-nil victory over the Philippines boosted goal difference in their favour after they finished level on 4 points with New Zealand. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains the factors behind the loss here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are being raised over whether interest for the Women's World Cup will remain high now the Football Ferns have been knocked out. The Ferns had a goalless draw with Switzerland in Dunedin last night but needed a win to get through to the last 16. The match was watched by nearly 26 thousand at Forsyth Barr stadium, the largest ever football crowd in the region. Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine told Mike Hosking that it'll be interesting to see how much interest is retained in the tournament now the Ferns are out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Kevin Milne joined Jack Tame to chat about U.S. football star, Trinity Rodman and how at 21 she's made it to the top without her outrageous father, Dennis.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could your FIFA office sweepstake be illegal? The Department of Internal Affairs says prize money can't exceed $500 and sweepstake organisers shouldn't profit from entries. Illegal gambling operations could land a person an up-to-$20,000 fine. Regulatory Services Manager, John Sneyd says it's taken seriously. "Office sweepstakes can be fun, but we've just got to make sure we keep it within the boundaries that keep it as a fun activity." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been nothing to separate the USA and the Netherlands, with their Football World Cup group game in Wellington ending in a 1-all draw. In what was a rematch of the 2019 final, the Dutch took a surprising 1-nil lead into halftime- until the US levelled off a corner kick in the 62nd minute. Both teams remain tied atop group E. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No changes from the Football Ferns for this evening's World Cup group A clash against the Philippines in Wellington. It'll be the same line-up that beat Norway in the tournament opener. Kick-off is at 5.30. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what we can expect from both teams tonight.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Football Ferns match against the Philippines is kicking off at Wellington Regional Stadium. Azaria Howell is at the capital's waterfront FIFA Fan-zone. She says everyone is very excited. "All wearing football shirts, some people with flags, people cheering, people watching on- it is such an incredible vibe and just so much happiness going around Wellington." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Philippines lead the Football Ferns 1-nil into the second half of their FIFA Women's World Cup contest in Wellington. New Zealand's had 56 per cent of possession compared to the Filipinas' 24 per cent and they've had seven attempts on goal compared to their opponents' two. Former All White David Chote says the Philippines are playing well, but there's still time for the Football Ferns to turn the match around. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How fricking good? I watched the Football Ferns on my phone last night as I drove from Auckland to Rotorua. Streaming it from the passenger seat as we zipped along the Waikato expressway. I can't think of a time when I've been more anxious for the 4G reception to hold out. And talk about adding new meaning to ‘Are We There Yet'? Those last nine minutes of additional time felt like ninety. We needed that result last night. In every respect. For the tournament. For the sport. And after the events of yesterday morning, for the country.   From a football perspective, the thing I loved most was the hunger. From the word go, the Football Ferns were rabid on defence. Every time a Norwegian midfielder found the ball at her feet and lifted her head to assess the options forward, a Football Ferns' defender was rushing up, in her face, busying or badgering her for the ball and shutting down her options. It was the kind of relentless, exhaustive, extraordinary effort that makes the last twenty minutes of a game very difficult indeed. The style of New Zealand international football has historically been defined by a heavy line of brutish defenders heaving the ball up the field and hoping for the best, but on attack, the Ferns were creative, technical, skilful and fluid. It was such a joy to watch. For the second time in as many years, a women's team has stepped up in a World Cup under the pressure and hopes of the nation. The Black Ferns last year, the Football Ferns now. Isn't it amazing how sport can lift us? Two more pool games. And having recorded our first ever win at a Football World Cup, and in such glorious style, it's surely not too soon to suggest the Football Ferns of last night have the talent and desire to become the first New Zealand team to make the World Cup knockout rounds, too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History was made at Eden Park on Thursday night. New Zealand scored its first victory at a Fifa World Cup — beating Norway 1-nil. Striker Hannah Wilkinson scored in the second half, snatching the victory for the Ferns. She said they just knew it was going to happen, that the belief that they had to put one away and that was the moment to do so. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women's World Cup Chief Executive David Beech admits Kiwis have been slow off the mark to buy their Women's Football World Cup tickets Tonight the FIFA Women's World Cup all kicks off at Eden Park where the Football Ferns are ready to face Norway in the tournament opener in front of a crowded stadium. Women's World Cup Chief Executive David Beech told Mike Hosking Kiwis traditionally wait to buy tickets, but FIFA has a no walk-up policy. He says typically about 40 percent of New Zealanders' sales happen once an event has kicked off. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FIFA Women's World Cup hasn't even begun and the Matildas have managed to work in the politics already. They are not happy with pay. They want more prize money and they want more pay and so they've made a video. You might remember they also made a video about human rights in Qatar when they won the hosting rights. On their side is the fact their opening game is sold out. Also on their side is the fact that football, globally, is the biggest sport going and it's worth a fortune. Sadly, not on their side is their premise. Their premise is they should be paid what men are, simply because they are women. Gender is the mistake that fuels their debate. Gender is the complexity in the argument that has seen a disproportionate amount of attention paid to a broader debate around women in sport, or women in the workplace, or women in the boardroom. The sadness is that a lot of appointments made involving women are trumpeted as being a first for women, thus giving a greater emphasis on the gender than on the skill that got them there. Are they there because they are women or because they are the best person for the job? The new Reserve Bank Governor of Australia was hailed last week as the first woman to ever lead the bank. That's brilliant. But what about the skill, dedication and experience that got her that job in the first place? Why did gender trump everything else? Some jobs, and this is another complexity, do pay the same and gender has nothing to do with it. Being an MP pays the same no matter who it is. In fact it pays the same no matter what the experience or talent involved is, thus proving that not all mechanisms for reward are sensible. In professional sport the general criteria is demand. Demand is based on broadcasting rights, ticket sales and a measure of marketability. That's why some sports are worth more than others, whether it be the value of a team or the value of a player. You can mix in individual circumstances occasionally, in a right place, right time sort-of punt on talent that may provide dividends at a later date. But generally the market is clear - people get what a sport, or a team, or a player is worth. And gender is far from the sole determinant and that is why it should not be used as a bargaining chip. Or indeed a political statement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, as Matt Heath was leaving this studio after The Huddle, I asked him if he was going to any FIFA Women's World Cup games. He turned around and laughed and made an observation along the lines of- you can force people to do a lot of diversity stuff, but you can't force them to buy tickets to entertainment. Isn't that exactly right. The Government can force their agencies to fill half their boards with women, the Labour Party can try to force itself to get to 50 percent women MPs, and public broadcasters can force their hosts to mihi in te reo. But no one can force you to buy tickets to a women's game of football if you don't want to go. Matt's words came back to me this morning as I listened to Grant Robertson and a media outlet basically trying to shame us into buying tickets. Grant Robertson said New Zealanders need to "pick up their game" around ticket sales. The media outlet paraphrased him by saying New Zealanders needed to do better.  The tone there is that we are obligated to do something that we are refusing to do. But that's not how sport works. We are not obligated to buy the tickets. It's entertainment. And if we don't want to watch women's football, we don't need to. The origin of this frustration seems to be that the tickets are selling much faster in Australia than they're selling over here. We've bought less than half of the 900,000 available tickets to matches in New Zealand. There's probably simple explanation for that- our women's football team is ranked 22nd in the world, the Australians are 12th. We care a lot less because we know our team hasn't even got a shot at the finals. Now we might just be leaving it to the last minute. And once the hype is in full swing, we might yet buy all the tickets available. We'll have to wait to see. But know this- if Kiwis do buy those tickets it's because they want to go. Not because they're being diversity-shamed into going.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In exactly three weeks, Auckland will host the opening ceremony and game for the 2023 FIFA Women's Football World Cup. There has been a bit of debate as to whether this will be the biggest sporting event ever held in NZ. Today Dr Grant Morris looks back back in our history and find out the answer to this question.

Every player in the FIFA Women's World Cup has $49,000 coming their way and the 23 players in the title winning team will each get $447,000. The money comes as a result of FIFA's previous promise to financially reward the 732 players taking part in this years tournament, meaning more than half of FIFA's total prize money fund of $182 million must be paid to the players. Former Football Fern Wendi Henderson joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.