July 20, (THEWILL) – FIFA has given the green light for the Women’s World Cup opener in Auckland to proceed as scheduled, despite the shooting incident in Auckland/Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, New Zealand, the city’s central business district, on Thursday morning, which claimed three lives.
Co-hosts New Zealand will face Norway at Eden Park this evening at 8am Nigerian time, with both teams confirming the safety of their players and staff. New Zealand Police have contained what they believe to be an “isolated incident,” clarifying that it poses no national security risk, ensuring the match can go ahead safely.
In a statement, FIFA extended “its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives.” The football governing body immediately liaised with Aotearoa New Zealand authorities, and ongoing communication with the participating teams confirmed that the incident was unrelated to football operations, thus enabling the opening match to proceed without delay.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins emphasised the swift neutralisation of the threat, prioritising the safety of both New Zealanders and visitors during the tournament. Despite the unfortunate incident, fans worldwide can still look forward to a competitive and spirited match showcasing unity and strength.
As the Women’s World Cup commences, all eyes will be on Eden Park, where New Zealand and Norway are set to compete in a powerful display of sportsmanship. The incident in Auckland’s CBD, while tragic, has not dampened the resolve of FIFA, the teams, or the host nation, to provide a safe and memorable event. The football community has rallied together, expressing solidarity with the victims’ families and the people of Auckland/Tamaki Makaurau and Aotearoa New Zealand. With the assurance of appropriate safety measures, the focus now turns to the much-anticipated opening games.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
