I have a bad feeling that only the football ferns and USWNT(if they are drawn to the correct group) games will be full and the other games will be half empty. Many of the continental tournaments going on had swaths of empty seats (even some of the women's euros matches).
Yipe any midweek games at night could be a tough sell in July. Also given the WC has been expanded to 32 teams I imagine there will be a few more ‘unfashionable’ teams than before.
Previous WWCs have been in summer? Also near large popn bases like Europe and North America. Next year is neither, so that will provide a challenge
I see the Phillipines have qualified. Would be cool if they played in NZ. Big expat community now in Godzone and generally really decent, good, hard working people. I’m sure they would proudly turn out in force if their dairy farm & hospital bosses gave them some time off. Not many opportunities to cheer on a Filipino sporting team for them
Re Phillipines, their mens basketball played in a Basketball World Cup qualifier 3 weeks ago in Auckland, attendance 3827. I don't think you will get the crowd you are thinking of.