Stockton native Kaley Diaz helps keep the U.S. Women's soccer team safe at FIFA World Cup

The 209 was represented on one of the biggest stages of women’s soccer during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Stockton native Kaley Diaz played a vital role during the first four days of the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. You won’t catch Diaz scoring goals or blocking penalty kicks but you’ll see her on the sidelines serving as a liaison, advisory and security for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.

“Although I’ve lived all over the world, this is a very special kind of event,” Diaz said. “It's my first time working a Women's World Cup and to be able to support these athletes doing what they came here to do — it's very unique.”

Diaz has worked as a special agent with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service since 2005. She is currently stationed in Auckland, New Zealand, and will be traveling alongside the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team as they hunt for victories in the month-long tournament.

“The tournament is just getting started but it started well with a win against Vietnam,” Diaz said. “For us, it's not about so much the tournament but it's about making sure that we're providing that safe and secure environment for the team and all the Americans here.”

This role has also allowed Diaz to travel the world beyond Stockton and is one of the key reasons she joined the profession. One of Diaz’s past roles was protecting Kate, the Princess of Wales in 2022.

“No day in this job is ever the same,” Diaz said. “This week I’m in New Zealand at the World Cup and you know next month I might be in New York at the UN General Assembly. We just have so many different opportunities that Diplomatic Security Service provides.”

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team notched its 3-0 victory over Vietnam on July 21. The team will be back in action at 6 p.m. on July 26 against the Netherlands — and Diaz will be right alongside them.

“We're just happy to be here and work with the Australian and New Zealand Governments to ensure the safety and well-being of our athletes as well as our corporate sponsors and partners and US citizens here to attend the game,” Diaz said.

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton native keeps the U.S. Women's soccer team safe at World Cup