New Zealand Fans Nominated at FIFA Best Awards 2018

Fan Moment of the Year Nomination

The New Zealand football All Whites supporters’ fan group The Flying Kiwis were nominated for the 2018 FIFA Best Awards. Entered into the category of the Fan Moment Of The Year Award, it served as recognition of the special moments and unlikely friendship between the friendly Flying Kiwis and the warm Russian people as they hosted the world for the Confederations Cup in June 2017.

This included a friendly match between supporters of Russia, and The Flying Kiwis on the Opening Day of the tournament before Russia played New Zealand in the opening match. It was hosted at the site of a famous “Blockade Match” – a game of football on 31st May, 1942 in peaceful defiance of a siege that lasted 872 days.

The game was played in two 20 minute halves, which was first suggested in the Blockade Match due to lack of game fitness. Dinamo, with a squad largely comprised of policemen and army soldiers, wanted to play a full game, while Nevsky Zavod wanted 20 minute halves. In 1942, they agreed on 30 minute halves but for the casual fans in 2017, 20 minute halves was plenty. After the match, players from both teams went to lay flowers to acknowledge the millions of Russians that died during war too.

The shortlist for the award was announced as Borussia Dortmund supporters, Celtic supporters and FC Copenhagen supporters. Celtic won the award thanks to their 360 card display to acknowledge 50 years since the 1967 European Cup win. The 2019 award was won by Peru national team fans for their incredible numbers and passion at world cup 2018 in Russia – ironically after beating New Zealand in the qualification play-off for their first world cup since 1982.

Flying Kiwis leader Matt Fejos was appreciative of the nomination after a year of really meaningful and boundary breaking experiences for the fan group following the All Whites home and away from Wellington Harbour to Sochi. “Firstly it’s great to have the support and close relationship with NZF our national body. What those experiences in Russia showed us was the power of football to break down barriers and bring people closer. Regardless of politicians at the top, most people on the ground just want to be friends and the hospitality and openness of the Russian people was really impactful for us as a group, and moving forward what we’re about. We’ll continue this traditionof fan friendly games against the opposition and enjoy meeting new cultures and people through football. That doesn’t affect or change passionately supporting our team, we can have both.

FIFA The Best Awards

FIFA’s The Best awards celebrate all of the best in football around the world for the previous season. While Messi and Ronaldo spent more than ten years battling for the Best Player of the Year Award, the unlikely New Zealanders nomination was a great acknowledgement and recognition of the unique place NZ football fans can have in the world. Previous winners in 2016 were Liverpool and Dortmund fans as they combined for a rousing rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on the eve of the Hillsborough anniversary. Another finalist was the Iceland supporters’ group for their now infamous ‘Viking Clap’ at Euros 2016.

The Flying Kiwis have continued this experience as tradition as they support New Zealand Football around the world, and organise fan friendly games wherever they go to support the team. The excitement for possibilities at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and with supporters from 48 competing teams there will be many opportunities for multi-team tournaments as well as games. Please get in touch through social media if you want to explore a game against the kiwis as fans from another country.

The next game will be in Oslo on Monday October 13th 2025, before the All Whites take on Norway on the Tuesday. Information for this Norway tour with the flying kiwis is here.