Sport / Fifa Women's World Cup 2023

World Cup opener will go ahead despite shooting

18:36 pm on 20 July 2023

Photo: Supplied: FIFA

The opening match of the Football World Cup will still go ahead despite today's shooting in Auckland.

New Zealand kick off the tournament against Norway at Eden Park tonight.

The police have confirmed three people have died in a shooting at a construction site in Auckland's CBD this morning.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said they have spoken with FIFA officials and the tournament will go ahead.

"There is no wider national security threat. This appears to be the actions of one individual," he said.

New Zealand Football says the shooting won't affect the Football Ferns plans for today and all the players are safe with their hotel some way away from the incident.

Sports Minister Grant Robertson has confirmed all the other teams staying in central Auckland are also safe and sound.

He said teams will be able to train this afternoon and go about their business as usual.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Photo: AFP

Grant Robertson said FIFA president Gianni Infantino has passed on his condolences to those affected by the shooting and reaffirmed tonight's game between New Zealand and Norway along with the rest of the tournament will go ahead as scheduled.

In a statement FIFA said it has been in constant contact with the participating teams affected by the incident.

"The participating teams in close proximity to this incident are being supported in relation to any impact that may have taken place," it added.

Eden Park Trust chief executive Nick Sautner said there will be an increased police presence at the ground for the opening match.

The USA women's football team say this morning's shooting was an all too familiar incident.

The shooting occurred within earshot of the USA teams hotel as they were preparing for training.

Midfielder Crystal Dunn commended the actions of police, saying the authorities took quick action and communicated well with the side.

"We've been pretty much understood that it's clear we have a pathway out of the hotel if we want to go see friends or family, obviously that's something I'm thinking about is can I see my son? Can I see my husband?"

Dunn says as side they know every time they step into the public, safety is at the forefront of their minds.

"At the end of day, we're at the USA we know that every time we step out of the hotel, we need to be smart. People notice us and it's really great, but it's also comes with responsibility."

The USA kick off their World Cup campaign against Vietnam tomorrow night.

-RNZ