The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, kicked off on Thursday, marking the beginning of a month-long celebration of women's football. 

New Zealand will host an additional 28 matches in cities like Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Dunedin, as part of this highly anticipated global sporting event. The Football Ferns' exceptional victory has set the stage for a thrilling and memorable tournament that is sure to captivate audiences worldwide.

Despite a deadly shooting that occurred in Auckland just hours before Thursday's opening match, the game remained unaffected. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of three people, including the gunman, and left six others injured, including a police officer. However, the football match proceeded as scheduled without any disruptions.

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