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In pictures: Maori and First Nations traditions take centre stage at FIFA Women's World Cup opening ceremony

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In pictures: Maori and First Nations traditions take centre stage at FIFA Women's World Cup opening ceremony

In pictures: Maori and First Nations traditions take centre stage at FIFA Women's World Cup opening ceremony

the associated press • July 20, 2023, 17:34:56 IST

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In a moment intended by FIFA to stress the cultural roots of tournament co-hosts New Zealand and Australia, along with international unity, the roughly 10-minute ceremony focused on groups of people meeting peacefully at the centre of Eden Park

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In pictures: Maori and First Nations traditions take centre stage at FIFA Women's World Cup opening ceremony

Auckland: The Women’s World Cup opened Thursday with an elaborate greeting from the Maori people of New Zealand and the First Nations people of Australia. In a moment intended by FIFA to stress the cultural roots of tournament co-hosts New Zealand and Australia, along with international unity, the roughly 10-minute ceremony focused on groups of people meeting peacefully at the centre of Eden Park.

Scenes at the #FIFAWWC 2023 opening ceremony! ✨👏#BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/RJsMQDJ4l7
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 20, 2023

Beautiful scenes from the opening ceremony in Auckland, New Zealand. #FIFAWWC #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/gozfteRLHd
— Queen John-Moseph (@Queenjohn4) July 20, 2023

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For New Zealand, volunteers held aloft an artistic representation of a giant stingray, which in traditional beliefs is said to have been caught by the demi-god Maui and turned into what has become the country’s North Island. A giant rainbow serpent, representing Australia, was likewise held up by the cast and joined the stingray. Monique Maihi-Pihema, a descendant of the Ngati Whatua Orakei tribe that has the historical rights over Eden Park, where the opening match between New Zealand and Norway took place, sang a traditional calling to welcome the Australians. The ceremony ended with the official match ball being presented to the United States, the 2019 and 2015 World Cup champions, and 2011 champion Japan, at midfield to represent the Maori koha, a gift to the other 30 competing teams. The 32 countries were then introduced on the stadium’s video screens, while dancers performed a unity routine in costumes inspired by the 32 jerseys that each country will wear. BENEE performed the official song of the tournament, Do It Again, as the ceremony came to a close.