Women’s World Cup: One Millionth Fan Greeted At The Gate

By: Gyang Dakwo

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 has continued to set new milestones, on and off the pitch, with the one millionth fan passing through the turnstiles on Tuesday at the match between Portugal and the United States of America at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.

Rebecca Sheely from Colorado was welcomed by the tournament mascot Tazuni as the one millionth fan to come through the gates at the ten venues across Australia and New Zealand.

Rebecca and her daughter Janelle have been following the United States team for the past three FIFA Women’s World Cups and were delighted to be at the centre of the millionth fan milestone.

“I think we need another suitcase,” laughed Rebecca as she was showered with gifts by Tazuni.

The match at Eden Park drew another enormous crowd, helping to smash the one million mark for total attendance, after Monday’s big crowds had pushed the total to 982,795 after 38 matches.

The interest in the FIFA Women’s World Cup around the globe and in the two host countries is already exceeding most predictions, with nearly 1.7 million tickets now sold, easily surpassing the ambitious target of 1.5 million set before the tournament.