Milan Gajic of Serbia and Jaja of Brazil compete for the ball during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Final match between Brazil and Serbia at North Harbour Stadium. Photo / Getty Images
Milan Gajic of Serbia and Jaja of Brazil compete for the ball during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Final match between Brazil and Serbia at North Harbour Stadium. Photo / Getty Images
Fifa would welcome a New Zealand bid for the Women's World Cup, despite some less-than-spectacular attendances at the Under-20 World Cup.
Yesterday's final drew a full house to North Harbour Stadium and there have been some other impressive turnouts across the 52 game event.
But there have also been somedisappointing crowds, particularly in Wellington, New Plymouth and a couple of the Auckland games, and the overall attendance doesn't compare favourably with other recent editions of the tournament.
"From Fifa's perspective, it has been a great tournament," said Fifa's director of competitions Colin Smith. "We always aim to fill the stadiums as much as possible. Obviously some of the midweek games, especially with the earlier kickoffs have been a challenge, but the atmosphere in the stadium has been great.
"You need to compare each tournament in its own right. Here you had the opportunity to go to different venues. And it's winter ... it rains. But the crowds have been fantastic, knowledgeable and it is great to see the communities come out. There were 600 Serbians [yesterday]."
The Women's World Cup has been mooted as the next step for New Zealand, after this country has hosted the under-17 men's and women's tournaments and the Under-20 World Cup. But that event has become an unlikely jewel in Fifa's crown — it attracted average crowds of more than 26,000 in Germany in 2011 and is currently filling large arenas in Canada.
New Zealand Football initially pitched for the 2019 Women's World Cup but withdrew their application and now have their sights set on 2023.
"New Zealand has shown itself to be an excellent host, not just football but other sports," said Smith. "If the New Zealand Government wants to put its mind to a bid for another major football event, then I am sure they would be a major contender."
