Lifetime fan has football Fifa

Jack Fairclough, who lives in Rotorua, can't wait to watch the World Cup on TV. Photo/Ben Fraser

When Jack Fairclough was 6 years old, his father took him to his first live football match - he's been hooked on the sport ever since.

The 24-year-old, who describes himself as "football mad", will be one of several local fans glued to their television screens over the next month as the 2014 Fifa World Cup gets under way.

Of the 64 matches in the tournament, many will be screened in New Zealand in the early hours of the morning, some as early as 4am.

But Mr Fairclough is unfazed by the early starts and is determined to watch most of the games involving a total of 32 countries.

About two years ago, he moved to Rotorua from his hometown of Liverpool, where he was raised by a football-loving family.

"I've been mad about football ever since I was a kid. My dad took me to my first game when I was 6, I was hooked ever since. I remember crying when England was knocked out by Argentina in one of the cup games," he said. "I couldn't imagine life without football."

He's so dedicated to the sport, he's even got the name of his favourite English football club, Everton, tattooed in Latin on his arm.

With three Everton players named in the squad, he'll be cheering for England to take out the competition.

"Of course I'm supporting England, I'd like to say they'd win but I don't know. To be honest, I expect Brazil to be up there, along with maybe Spain, Germany and Argentina. Belgium could also be a bit of a dark horse."

Mr Fairclough said he was planning to watch the Cup's finale with the team from the Rotorua United Football Club, which he plays for.

"If it's 4am, it doesn't matter. The game's going be a big one and we can't miss it."

Mr Fairclough said football was more than just teams kicking a ball around a field, it was something that brought people together.

"The Fifa World Cup brings people from all over the world together. It doesn't matter where you come from, or which team you support, you're all watching the same thing, supporting the same sport and sharing that occasion together.

"That's something pretty cool."