Francesca Rudkin: The World Cup kicks off at the end of the month - where's the hype?

Yesterday was a big milestone for the FIFA World Cup here in New Zealand. The first of the 15 teams, Norway and Vietnam, stepped off planes at Auckland Airport. They received a warm welcome in the arrivals area, which has been transformed into a football field, signed autographs, high fived the FIFA mascot and headed to their bases.   The FIFA World Cup kicks off in New Zealand on 20th July - and I’ve got to say: where’s the hype?   This tournament is huge for New Zealand - even if it’s shared with Australia. It's set to be the biggest event New Zealand has ever hosted. FIFA estimates the tournament will bring more than $200 million into the New Zealand economy.   30,000 spectators are expected to arrive in the county to watch the tournament, throwing extra income into local economies. Tourism New Zealand is working hard to promote New Zealand to the potential 1.5 billion international viewers expected to watch the games. It’s all good. The benefits for both the country and women’s football are massive.   But aside from the economic benefits and the beautiful videos Tourism New Zealand is producing for overseas audiences, there doesn’t seem to be a much fuss. We don’t seem to understand or have embraced the magnitude of what’s about to take place.   I may be wrong. You may have a footballer in your house and a countdown on the fridge for the New Zealand vs Norway opening game at Eden Park on 20th July. Or for the other games taking place in Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin. If I’m wrong - set me right. Reassure me we’re ready to go.   But slow-ish ticket sales suggest we’ve been doing the Kiwi thing of waiting until the last minute to get tickets. Giving ourselves time to confirm it’s ‘going off’ and something worth being part of. How much the hype grows, and the country gets behind the Cup, will also come down to how the Football Ferns go.   On the Sunday Session I’ve spoken to footballers who’ve played at a World Cup, or are ambassadors for this World Cup. They tell me you won’t find a more exciting atmosphere and that it’s a great sporting spectacle whether you’re a football fan or not.   So it’s time to commit, because it’s not just the tourists and footballers who will make this a successful tournament for NZ. It’s us.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.