The indigenous tradition of Australia and New Zealand, the hosts of the World Cupand a message of unity and female empowerment came together at the opening ceremony of the event, which It starts this Thursday and ends on August 20.
With a capacity of close to fifty thousand spectators, the Eden Park stadium in Auckland, the most populous city in New Zealand, dressed up to host a fast-paced, ten-minute opening ceremony and the first match of the World Cup between New Zealand and Norway.
(You can read: In photos: this was the opening and the first game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup).
The festive atmosphere and the desire for football took over the atmosphere in a city that suffered a shooting a few hours ago that left three dead and six injured. The incident occurred at 7:23 a.m. local time (7:23 p.m. GMT on Wednesday) at a construction site in the central area, when the attacker entered a building and opened fire, according to the Police.
However, as FIFA assured, tonight’s opening game at Eden Park goes ahead as planned and the stands were full of fans to witness the kick-off of the great event.
The best natural landscapes of both organizing countries were projected accompanied by colorful drawings to give way to a performance that showed the world the roots of the two organizing countries, Australia and New Zealand with indigenous songs and dances.
(Keep reading: The women’s World Cup begins: all against the United States).
Women’s World Cup: start ceremony.
EFE/EPA/WHAT YOUNG
The icons of the rainbow snake from Australia and the manta ray from New Zealand’s North Island took to the lawn at Eden Park to remember the legend of the creation of the two islands according to aboriginal mythology.
The 32 participating teams, matching the men’s tournament for the first time, appeared in groups dressed in the colors of the country’s kits while performing a unity dance. In addition, the official ball of the competition was received as a gift from a representation of the participants to the current champions, the United States.
Finally, the World Cup logo was displayed on the central circle of the pitch and the New Zealand artist BENEE and the Australian singer and producer Mallrat performed ‘Do It Again’, the official song of the World Cup, which reflects the empowerment and unity they seek to characterize the World Cup event.
EFE
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