One of the biggest shows on the global sporting calendar has arrived in New Zealand.
The FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off in two weeks, but is our biggest city ready for the global attention?
The World Cup has touched down in New Zealand with the arrival of the first teams at Auckland Airport.
"[I'm] super happy," Norway midfielder Ingrid Syrstad Engen told Newshub. "It was a long travel, but now we're finally here.
"It will be amazing to get started."
Norway kick off the event against the Football Ferns in two weeks time, entertaining some of the two billion viewers forecast to tune in throughout the tournament, but not everyone here knows what the fuss is about and the lack of publicity is just one of many challenges for organisers.
"FIFA is as big as it gets," said Tātaki Auckland Unlimited director of arts, rntertainment and events Richard Clarke.
"Since we've won the bid, we've obviously had the pandemic, the series of lockdowns, the closed borders, two states of emergency in Auckland, the recession period... all the challenges going on within the Auckland Council environment now."
Sporting commentator Bendan Telfer says we shouldn't be concerned.
"The country wasn't going bonkers over the Rugby World Cup prior to its start," he said. "As soon as we'd seen the New Zealand team play its first game, the thing took off."
Despite media criticism, Clarke says all the necessary security protocols are in place to make the tournament a success.
"Probably not the same level as Qatar, which was extreme [with] the level of resourcing, but it will be appropriate for what's needed here," he added.
Some two thousand passionate volunteers will help out at stadiums, fan zones and training venues across the country.
"[I'm] here for a good time and to support women's sport," volunteer Palak Shrivastava told Newshub.
So far, close to 300,000 tickets have been sold for games across New Zealand, with almost a million more snapped up in Australia.
Clarke says the tournament is providing more than just a $60 million boost to the economy.
"In Auckland, there's nine clubs that have got significantly upgraded facilities [and] gender-neutral changing facilities," he added. "We think [it's] the opportunity for the women's game to grow."
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host an event that will leave a lasting impression.
