Editorial: Football fever is ready to devour

It is football season

For the next month it's all about the beautiful game.

Interest is growing in the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in the early hours of Friday morning New Zealand time.

As Kiwis we love our rugby and our All Blacks - always have, always will - but that doesn't mean we can't also get caught up in the global excitement around football.

It may surprise some to hear there are about 115,000 registered football (or "soccer", if you want to risk the wrath of hardcore fans) players in New Zealand. That compares to nearly 150,000 rugby players.

There are plenty of Kiwis that don't play, but support an overseas football club. I remember sitting with my (rugby playing) brother every Sunday lunchtime to watch the weekly round up of English premier league. He supported West Ham, still does, the reasons for which I never quite worked out.

The Rugby World Cup is a big deal in several countries but it just doesn't compare to football's global reach.

During the 2010 tournament I was working in London. TVs were installed especially in our office, all staff were given time off to watch the England games (with many taking annual leave to watch all the games) and I saw grown men cry when England were knocked out, again.

I'm excited about the tournament and the bonus that a decent chunk of the matches are on free to air TV.

I admit to having a soft spot for the English. All Blacks supporters thought 24 years between Rugby World Cup victories was hard - the English have been trying since 1966.

Let's get into it, the rest of the world sure will be.