AUCKLAND — The Women’s World Cup opened on Thursday with an elaborate greeting from the Maori people of New Zealand and the First Nations people of Australia.
At a time scheduled by fifa To emphasize the cultural roots of the tournament’s co-hosts New Zealand and Australia, along with international unity, the approximately 10-minute ceremony focused on groups of people gathering peacefully in the center of Eden Park Stadium.
For New Zealand, volunteers held up an artist’s rendering of a giant stingray, said in traditional belief to have been captured by the demigod Maui. It symbolized the North Island of the country. A giant rainbow snake, representing Australia, was also held up by the cast and joined the line.
Monique Maihi-Pihema, a scion of the Ngati Whatua Orakei tribe who hold the historic rights to Eden Park, where the opening match between New Zealand and Norway took place, sang a traditional call to welcome Australians.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of the official match ball to the United States, the 2019 and 2015 World Cup champions, and the 2011 champion Japan, in the center of the field to represent the Maori koha, a challenge for the another 30 competing teams.
The 32 countries were then introduced on the stadium’s video screens, while the dancers performed a unity routine wearing costumes inspired by the 32 jerseys each country will wear. BENEE made the official song of the tournament, «Do It Again», as the ceremony came to a close.
Just before kick-off, a moment of silence was observed for the victims of a deadly shooting that occurred early Thursday in downtown Auckland. The shootings were not related to the tournament, but occurred near the team hotels.
Hours after a shootout, New Zealand defeated Norway 1-0 for their first Women’s World Cup victory.