Women’s World Cup Opens with Celebration of Maori Culture Despite Shooting Incident
SYDNEY/AUCKLAND, July 20 – The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off in New Zealand with a celebration of the country’s traditional Maori culture on Thursday. However, the festive atmosphere was overshadowed by a shooting near the Norwegian team hotel in Auckland, which resulted in three fatalities and six injuries.
Authorities confirmed that the shooter was among the deceased and assured the public that there was no risk to national security. Despite the tragic incident, the opening ceremony at Auckland’s Eden Park went ahead as planned, featuring the iconic Haka war dance. New Zealand’s Football Ferns then faced off against Norway in the tournament’s opener, which is expected to draw a record-breaking crowd for an international soccer match in the host nation.
In light of the shooting, additional police and security measures were deployed outside the stadium to ensure the safety of spectators. While some attendees expressed initial concerns, the visible police presence provided reassurance. “Seeing the heavier police presence, I feel a lot safer now knowing that they’re watching out,” said Isabella Beeortegui, a 22-year-old student attending the opening ceremony. The FIFA statement affirmed that the incident was isolated and unrelated to football operations, assuring the teams and fans of their safety.
In a separate match, co-hosts Australia, known as the Matildas, kicked off their campaign against the Republic of Ireland in front of a sellout crowd of approximately 70,000 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney. This remarkable attendance sets a new record for a women’s soccer match in the country.
The prominence of women’s soccer has grown significantly in recent years, with greater participation and increased interest from spectators worldwide. Many hope that the Women’s World Cup will have a transformative effect on women’s sports participation in Australia. Tracey Taylor, a professor of sports management at RMIT University in Melbourne, noted that grassroots football clubs anticipate a game-changer for the sport’s positioning and awareness, both globally and within local communities.
However, gender disparities still exist within women’s football, as conditions for female players lag behind those afforded to men in many countries. The Matildas released a video critique of the “disrespect” for the women’s game, shedding light on inadequate working conditions and prize money disparities compared to the men’s World Cup. Various participating nations, including England and Spain, have been embroiled in disputes with their football administrators over issues of working conditions and pay.
While enthusiasm for the Women’s World Cup is high in Australia, demand for tickets in New Zealand has been relatively low. In a bid to encourage attendance, New Zealand Sports Minister Grant Robertson urged Kiwis to seize the opportunity to experience a top-tier FIFA World Cup event. FIFA’s Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura, expressed confidence that ticket sales had already surpassed the previous tournament’s figures in France. However, she acknowledged that New Zealanders tend to be late ticket purchasers, emphasizing the availability of tickets for certain matches.
Despite the shooting incident, the opening of the Women’s World Cup signifies a milestone in women’s football and showcases the growing popularity of the sport. As the tournament progresses, teams and fans are eager to witness thrilling matches and create lasting memories.
Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Additional reporting by Nathan Frandino in Auckland, Renju Jose in Sydney, Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, and Philip O’Connor in Stockholm; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Jacqueline Wong, Miral Fahmy, and Peter Rutherford