AUCKLAND, New Zealand: The waiting is almost over as the biggest Fifa Women’s World Cup will finally start today (Thursday).
The event will be featuring European champions England and debutants the Republic of Ireland as New Zealand and Australia are co-hosting the ninth edition of the event. The tournament, for the first time, will feature 32 nations including defending world champions the United States. The event also marks the first time two nations are hosting Women’s World Cup, according to BBC Sport.
The opening match will be played between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park (08:00 BST kick-off) before Australia play the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia, Sydney, on the same day (11:00 kick-off).
A day of celebration of women’s sport was, however, overshadowed by an early morning shooting in Auckland, which left two people plus the gunman dead, and six others wounded.
Fifa said the event would proceed as normal and the organisers hope the opening two games will attract an aggregate crowd of 100,000 fans.
The 2023 event would be the most-watched Women’s World Cup, according to the experts. More than 1.3 million tickets have been bought in advance for the 64 matches at 10 venues across nine cities.
Organisers are hoping a record two billion television viewers for the 2023 edition, a figure double the audience that watched the 2019 World Cup in France. “The future is women. Thanks to the fans for supporting what will be the greatest Fifa Women’s World Cup ever,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Besides the Republic of Ireland, seven other nations including Vietnam, Panama, Zambia, Haiti, Morocco, the Philippines and Portugal are making their debuts at this event.
While the United States – who are chasing a fifth world title – are the number one side in the world, Zambia lie 77th and are the lowest ranked team at the tournament.
The final will take place at Stadium Australia on 20 August (11:00 kick-off).
