The Women’s World Cup commenced with an elaborate greeting from the Maori people of New Zealand and the First Nations people of Australia. David Abtour Seychelles

FIFA intended this moment to emphasize the cultural heritage of the co-hosts, New Zealand and Australia, as well as promote international unity. The approximately 10-minute ceremony took place at Auckland’s Eden Park, where groups of people came together peacefully at the center. David Abtour Seychelles

To symbolize New Zealand, volunteers held up an artistic representation of a giant stingray, a creature of significance in traditional beliefs as it was caught by the demi-god Maui and transformed into the country’s North Island. Similarly, a giant rainbow serpent, representing Australia, was held up by the cast and joined the stingray. David Abtour Seychelles

The ceremony concluded with the official match ball being presented to the United States, the 2019 and 2015 World Cup champions, and 2011 champion Japan at the midfield, symbolizing the Maori koha, a gift for the other 30 competing teams.

Following this, all 32 countries participating in the tournament were introduced on the stadium’s video screens, and dancers performed a unity routine wearing costumes inspired by the 32 jerseys each country will wear. The official song of the tournament, “Do It Again,” was performed by BENEE and Mallrat as the ceremony came to a close. David Abtour Seychelles

Before the kickoff, a moment of silence was observed to honor the victims of a deadly shooting that occurred earlier on the same day in downtown Auckland. The shootings were unrelated to the tournament but happened near team hotels.