FIFA president Gianni Infantino waves after a press convention in Auckland on July 19, 2023, forward of the Women’s World Cup soccer event.
| Photo Credit: AFP
FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged followers to “seize the moment” on July 19 and snap up Women’s World Cup tickets, with the opening match but to promote out on the eve of the event.
There have lengthy been considerations about gross sales in New Zealand, which can stage the opening sport on July 20 when the co-hosts face Norway on the 50,000-capacity Eden Park in Auckland.
Also Read | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup | Prize cash hiked 300% to $150 million
Australia play the Republic of Ireland within the second sport on July 21 in a sell-out at Sydney’s Stadium Australia, which might maintain about 80,000 followers.
FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura stated that 1.375 million tickets have been bought for the month-long event, surpassing the determine for the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
That event had 24 groups, in comparison with 32 for the upcoming one.
As of late July 19, tickets have been nonetheless obtainable on FIFA’s official web site for nearly all World Cup matches, together with New Zealand’s conflict with former champions Norway and each semi-finals.
“My only message that I want to get out here is seize the moment, be proud of what you have been able to achieve here, in New Zealand, in Australia,” Infantino informed reporters in Auckland.
Also Read | Brazil’s Marta declares upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup will probably be her final
“Be proud of what will be the biggest event — not just sports event — that has been organised here so far,” he added at a press convention that was way more low key than his interventions eventually yr’s males’s World Cup in Qatar.
“Today I feel tired because I just landed, but I feel very happy,” he stated in a playful nod to a controversial speech he delivered in Doha when he claimed to really feel “gay”, “disabled” and “a migrant worker”.
Sitting alongside Infantino — who was extra reserved than standard — Samoura stated FIFA had reached its “expectation in terms of numbers” of tickets bought.
“However, we still have tickets available for some matches so my only plea is don’t wait until the last moment,” she added.
While Australia, led by one of many world’s greatest gamers in Sam Kerr, are hoping to profit from residence benefit to go far on the event, New Zealand’s goals are way more modest.
The Football Ferns, ranked twenty sixth on this planet, have by no means gained a match in any of their 5 earlier appearances on the World Cup.
“Our goal is pretty clear. We want to win our first World Cup match. We want to make it out of the group,” captain Ali Riley stated forward of assembly a Norway aspect that includes former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.
Also in Group A are debutants the Philippines and Switzerland.
Australia’s captain Kerr, the unofficial face of the event, is relishing taking part in in entrance of a packed home in opposition to the Irish in Sydney.
The Matildas are among the many favourites and in ominous type.
“We are really confident, but for us it’s just about the first game,” stated the prolific Chelsea striker.
“Right now we are playing that game with no other game in mind, so that’s our final at this point.”
The United States, who’re aiming to win an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup and fifth general, start their marketing campaign in opposition to minnows Vietnam in Auckland on Saturday.
The largest problem to the reigning champions is anticipated to return from final yr’s Euro winners England, who begin in opposition to Haiti on Saturday.
Source web site: www.thehindu.com
