Papamoa's Edge braces for Fifa U-20 World Cup

Jesse Edge (far left) is excited ahead of the Fifa U-20 World Cup, pictured here with three other members of the NZ squad (l-r) Alex Rufer, Matt Ridenton and Andre de Jong. Photo/NZME.

The largest international sporting event New Zealand has hosted is just three days away from kick-off.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup will be broadcast to more than 100 countries with an estimated global television audience of 170 million.

The FIFA bubble has started now and all the other teams are around so it definitely does feel like the big stage.

Papamoa's Jesse Edge

Since 1977 the tournament has been the catalyst to launch the careers of some of the game's all-time greats like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Marco Van Basten, Kaka, Michael Owen, Ronaldinho and Cesc Fabregas.

The opening game between New Zealand and Ukraine at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday from 1pm is the first chance to shine for this year's players hoping to follow the path set by those legends.

Right in the core leadership group of the New Zealand team is Papamoa's Jesse Edge.

The defender/holding midfielder who plies his trade in Italy with Serie B promotion contenders Vicenza Calcio says the players are excited about the games to come.

"Our training and our warm-up games have made us all feel pretty prepared and ready for the first game,' Edge said.

"The FIFA bubble has started now and all the other teams are around so it definitely does feel like the big stage.

"There is a very good atmosphere around the team and the hotel. All the boys are all very tight. We are feeling very confident about getting a result in that first game."

View video of Jesse Edge visiting a local school below.