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Ria on New Zealand’s home World Cup: “You can’t explain how much it means”

Wed 19 July 2023, 09:00|Tottenham Hotspur

When New Zealand host Norway at Eden Park on Thursday 20 July, it will be an historic day for the country.

Joint hosts of the 2023 Women’s World Cup alongside Australia, New Zealand will be looking for their first ever win in the tournament.

“I’ve said it to many people - it’s something you can’t really explain and say how much it means,” Ria Percival told us. 

“Being in the game a long time and having been to a few World Cups now, to have one on home soil, when football has grown so much, it’s pretty exciting.”

The competition now is so much higher with the level of the games and the results. I think there will be some upsets in this tournament.

Ria Percival

With seven Lilywhites called up for their countries, Ria’s New Zealand schedule is as follows:

  • New Zealand v Norway | Thursday 20 July | Eden Park | 8am (UK)
  • New Zealand v Philippines | Tuesday 25 July | Wellington Regional Stadium | 6.30am (UK)
  • Switzerland v New Zealand | Sunday 30 July | Dunedin Stadium | 8am (UK)

No-one has made more international appearances for New Zealand than Ria, who is well aware of the quality of the opposition in the tournament this summer.

“USA have always been up there as a team that has been on the highest levels with their performances,” she said. “Also, England, with the Euros last year, have been doing well. 

“Australia have been looking good for this World Cup and are looking like a team that could be dominant and go really far. 

“There’s quite a few. The competition now is so much higher with the level of the games and the results. I think there will be some upsets in this tournament.”