New Zealand have created a stunning full-sized football pitch right in the shadow of the country’s biggest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook, for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
The field is 105-meter long, and 68-meter wide (114 yards by 74 yards) and it was built by hand on the tussocky plains of the McKenzie Country in front of the 3,724-meter (12,217-foot) mountain on which Sir Edmond Hillary trained for his successful assault on the summit of Mount Everest in 1953.
The two teams of local girls named Pukaki and Tekapo got the opportunity to play on the field as they were invited to play the first friendly match on the pitch on Tuesday (June 20) which was refereed by the New Zealand Football National Referee Development Manager, Lindsey Robinson.
The match between Pukaki and Tekapo ended in a 1-1 draw.
“I came here today to referee the game in the most beautiful place on earth,” Robinson said. “Aside from the stunning landscape, it was a great game of football.
“I’m incredibly excited about so many visitors coming to New Zealand to enjoy the game and enjoy this beautiful part of the world.”
It took over six weeks to create the pitch, it was created while following all the strict environmental measures and sustainability principles to make sure that the land could be returned to its original state.
The last Women’s Fifa World Cup in 2019 was won by Team USA who defeated Netherlands 2-0 in the final to win their second consecutive and fourth overall title.
The World Cup will be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, which features 32 teams, and the tournament's final will be played on August 20 in Sydney.