The 2023 Women's Football World Cup can serve as the catalyst to inspire a generation of Kiwis to fall in love with the beautiful game, that's the message from Football Ferns duo Hannah Wilkinson and Erin Nayler.
This morning, football's governing body FIFA confirmed that New Zealand and Australia will jointly host the 2023 Women's Football World Cup, meaning the trans-Tasman tournament will be at the centre of one of the world's biggest sporting events.
While New Zealand hosted the 2015 Under20 Football World Cup, this will be the first time a senior event is headed down under.
Corks were popped in the early hours after this morning’s FIFA announcement.
Appearing on TVNZ 1's Breakfast this morning goalkeeper Nayler and forward Wilkinson spoke about what the 2023 World Cup will mean to the young girls growing up wanting to be footballers.
"I remember growing up and watching men's football - nothing but men's football - and just wanting to do what they did," said Wilkinson.
"For a young girl to grow up and see women doing this, powerful women doing this, I feel like that is just such a huge impact.
"It's just fantastic."
What's more, the impact of playing a World Cup on home soil will be a huge influence to the Football Ferns on the pitch.
"It gives us a huge boost," Nayler said.
"To play in front of friends and family and have the support of New Zealand behind us is incredible.
"It not only gives a boost to us, but to the whole women's game. I think a whole lot more girls will get involved in football.
NZ and Australia will jointly host 2023 tournament.
Finally, Wilkinson signed off by describing the impact that the 2023 Women's World Cup can have on the next generation of footballers, men or women.
"This is an absolute dream for us," added Wilkinson
"When you guys grow up - I'm talking to all the all the little girls, and boys as well - playing football right now, this is an absolute dream for you guys, I'm sure, to play on the world stage.
"To play in front of your friends and family, and really show that football is a massive sport, and can be a massive sport in New Zealand."
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