The Football Ferns World Cup squad. Photo: Lynne Cameron/www.photosport.nz
The Football Ferns' squad of 23 players hope to use the Women's World Cup to showcase their talents and also to pick up lucrative contracts.
New Zealand's players are contracted to clubs from Finland to America, England to Wellington, but seven of the national team have no club to return to after the tournament.
Every player at the World Cup will be paid at least $49,000 after FIFA changed its prize money model to ensure athletes end up with money in their pocket.
That is double the average amount a female player gets paid for a season playing club football.
Defender CJ Bott playing for the Football Ferns in their last public game before the World Cup. Photo: Lynne Cameron/www.photosport.nz
Football Fern and Leicester City defender CJ Bott said it was about time female footballers were rewarded for their work.
"It's been a long time coming really and I think it's great women's football is finally getting the recognition and the financial recognition that it deserves it's a game that takes a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money to compete in and do it well so I think it's definitely what's required to keep going and I think for those players who aren't in a similar position to myself and other players, they're not in a professional spot or aren't being paid as well, that kind of money can change lives in a lot of ways."
The amount players are paid increases the further their teams progress in the tournament.
The Football Ferns have been drawn to play against Norway, Philippines and Switzerland.
Striker Hannah Wilkinson, who plays in the A-League for Melbourne City, said it would be a tough start to the tournament for the home side.
"Norway is arguably the strongest team in our group so it's naturally going to be the toughest game. All of our games will be tough but I think Norway in particular so it being the opening game there will be a lot of nerves, there's going to be a lot of excitement too.
"We've been preparing for this for so long I think everyone's going to be so fired up and to have the home advantage is so rare for us."
However, CJ Bott was optimistic about New Zealand's chances of progressing to the round of 16 and getting more opportunities to impress on the biggest stage.
"It's a very winnable pool in many ways but it is definitely going to be a challenge, we're not taking it lightly in anyway and we're really excited for the challenge that sits in front of us but every game we're going in to win for sure."
Grace Jale playing for New Zealand U20 in 2016. Photo: David Joseph / www.photosport.nz
Forward Grace Jale had been in and out of the senior national side since she was a teenager and has played at two age-grade World Cups.
She hoped to bring a point of difference to the Football Ferns and solve one of their most obvious problems.
"I think I want to add a bit of creativity, I want to be a big presence obviously I am tall and different looking to everyone else on the team which is a positive, but that extra bit of grit and hopefully some goals is what we really need so I'm working on it."
Jale, who played in the A-League for the last two seasons, is among the players who are unattached from a club and have plenty to prove.
Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova said there was competition for starting spots in the team, as the Football Ferns chase their first win at a world tournament.
"We will always look at the player holistically, on her technical skills, tactical decisions, how she is physically prepared, how she is mentally strong so all those pieces will help us to make the right decision."
The Football Ferns kick off the tournament against Norway on 20 July, knowing what they achieve on their home soil could determine where they might end up next season.
- RNZ
