Fans of the World: The 2023 Women’s World Cup Down Under

Mark Ong of Sydney, Australia, poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group A soccer match between New Zealand and the Philippines in Wellington, New Zealand on July 25, 2023. Ong, who is from Manila and studying for his masters in Sydney, is passionate about Filipino representation. His puppet, crafted by the president of the Puppet Association of the Philippines, is the Philippine Eagle, the country’s critically endangered national bird. (FULL PHOTO)

Joy “Mamajoy” Chauke of South Africa poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Italy and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, on Aug. 2, 2023. Chauke is a widely recognized representative of South African fans, known for her elaborate outfits and unwavering support of South Africa’s national teams. (FULL PHOTO)

Tom Bothmer of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the United States and the Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 27, 2023. Bothmer, who is part Dutch, said he’s ‘just a fan’. “I have a little bit of butterflies, but it’s just cool to see [my team] here. (FULL PHOTO)

Hannah Cronbaugh (right) and Monique Ray of Boise, Idaho, pose for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the United States and the Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 27, 2023. The duo, who became engaged during their trip, have always followed the Women’s World Cup. (FULL PHOTO)

Donning a Sverigedräkten, a traditional dress worn for Sweden’s National Day, Monica Karlsson of Sweden poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 23, 2023. (FULL PHOTO)

Carolyn Hohne, of St. Mary’s Glacier, Colorado, poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the United States and the Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 27, 2023. (FULL PHOTO)

Ryu Oshimatani of Osaka, Japan, poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Spain and Japan in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 31, 2023. (FULL PHOTO)

Ellie Burton of Nelson, New Zealand, poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and Italy in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 29, 2023. Why did she attend the match? “It’s soccer!” Burton said with a grin. (FULL PHOTO)

Jo Hoth of Germany poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the United States and the Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 27, 2023. Hoth, who is an exchange student staying in Wellington, attended the match with his friends from the Netherlands; in turn, he was introduced to Dutch football fandom. (FULL PHOTO)

Mona Cockerell of Nelson, New Zealand, poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Sweden and Italy in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 29, 2023. Referring to herself as a "Swewi," Cockerell was born in Sweden and grew up rooting for Sweden’s women’s national team. “It is such a good and positive feeling for the next generation. Finally, we get to see the girls making the big bucks!” Cockerell said. (FULL PHOTO)

Kobashi Shinchi of Osaka, Japan, poses for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Spain and Japan in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 31, 2023. (FULL PHOTO)

“The girls’ game is getting deserved recognition. For us? We just follow the team. We’re like their groupies,” Kaylee Woods of St. George, Utah, said. Woods attended the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the United States and the Netherlands in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 27, 2023. (FULL PHOTO)

Amanda (left) and Kim Skellern of Australia pose for a portrait before the Women's World Cup Group A soccer match between New Zealand and the Philippines in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 25, 2023. In addition to rooting on the Football Ferns in black and white, the duo chose to pay homage to one of New Zealand’s most well-known exports: sheep. (FULL PHOTO)