Hamilton will host next football stars
Football fans could have the chance to see the next Lionel Messi play at Waikato Stadium during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Local football clubs are being urged to adopt one of the teams Hamilton will host over the 20 days of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
The FIFA (The Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Under-20 World Cup is the second largest male tournament outside the FIFA World Cup and will be hosted in New Zealand from May 30 to June 20 next year.
Nations are vying to be one of the 23 teams to grace our shores but the official draw does not take place until early next year.
New Zealand as host makes up the full 24 teams competing.
Hamiltonians could have the chance to see the next Lionel Messi play at Waikato Stadium, where eight of the 52 matches will be held.
Venue General Manager for Hamilton, Seamus Marten, who works for the local organising committee for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, said the event will add to New Zealand’s reputation.
“New Zealand has earned a reputation as a country capable of hosting world class events and the FIFA Under-20 World Cup will definitely add to that reputation,” Marten said.
New Zealand has hosted two previous FIFA tournaments, the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 1999 and the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in 2008.
There will be more than 20,000 seats available and Marten said it would be amazing to fill the Waikato Stadium.
The event will bring potential economic benefits to the city and the region through international visitors.
Marten said the tournament also provides an opportunity to show case the city, surrounding tourist attractions, and even local industry.
“Our main legacy objectives are increasing participation in football, celebrating diversity, growing football capability, and developing tourism and trade,” Marten said.
“An event like this will help stimulate improvement in local facilities such as training grounds which will be able to be utilised by the wider community once the tournament is over.”
Most training sessions during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup will be open to the public, which Marten said will be an opportunity for local players to see the best young players in the world training.
“It would be great, too, once the teams are known, if local clubs adopted a visiting team to make them feel welcome during their stay,” Marten said.
“Some home grown players that people should look forward to seeing include Bill Tuiloma, who is already an All White and currently playing in France, and a pair of Wellington Phoenix teenagers are Matt Ridenton and Alex Rufer who have emerged this season in A-league,” Marten said.
“From a local perspective players like Jesse Edge who played for Melville United but is now based in Italy, and Andrew Blake, who travelled with the New Zealand Under-17 side to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in UAE [The United Arab Emirates] last year should be hopeful of making the final squad.”
There are 21 spots up for grabs for the New Zealand team but Marten said it is unlikely to know the final squad until much closer to the tournament.
Waikato – Bay of Plenty football development officer, Scott Parsonage said he is looking forward to watching New Zealand take on the world’s best.
“It is a great opportunity for football fans to see the best Under-20 football players in the world in our own backyard,” Parsonage said.
“The New Zealand team will be competitive and will have the home field advantage which will help us get results.”
Other cities to host the tournament include Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, New Plymouth, Wellington and Whangarei.
Tickets go on sale to the public May 19.
