Women’s World Cup Kicks-off, Amidst Auckland Shooting

The largest women’s World Cup on kicked off on Thursday 20th July, 2023  in Auckland after a fatal shooting earlier in the day.

Co-hosts New Zealand and former champions, Norway kicked off the women’s World Cup on Thursday in Auckland, after a short opening ceremony. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

A minute silence was observed for the victims of a shooting earlier in the day in the city.

The short ceremony at Eden Park had the indigenous people of host nations Australia and New Zealand at its centre, while singers Benee and Mallrat did the official tournament song “Do It Again.”

The World Cup trophy was presented before the two teams kicked off the biggest women’s World Cup. The contestants were increased to 32 teams from 24 at the last edition 2019 in France.

Australia were set to play Ireland in the opening day’s other game.

Two-time reigning and record four-time overall champions U.S. are the top favourites, with other contenders including two-times winners, Germany and European champions Germany.

The World Cup which runs until 20th August 2023 started under a cloud of the shooting earlier in the day in which three people died – including the suspected gunman, with five others injured.

Football’s governing body FIFA said later that the opening game would “proceed as planned”, and the added minute silence was impeccably observed at Eden Park. (dpa/NAN)