Just hours before Auckland was due to host the opening match of the Women’s World Cup, the city woke up to news of a deadly shooting which has cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a day of celebration.
The incident in the centre of New Zealand’s largest city, close to where hundreds of football supporters were due to gather at a fan park, left two people dead and six others injured.
A minute silence was observed for the victims of a shooting earlier in the day in the city.
Co-hosts New Zealand and former champions, Norway kicked off the women’s World Cup on Thursday in Auckland, after a short opening ceremony.
The short ceremony at Eden Park had the indigenous people of host nations Australia and New Zealand at its centre, and singers Benee and Mallrat 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 to date, 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 twice winners, Germany and European champions Germany.
The World Cup which runs until Aug. 20 started under a cloud of the shooting earlier in the day in which three people died – including the suspected gunman and five were 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/
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