July 8 – With the Women’s World Cup now under two weeks away from kick off, FIFA has announced that the indigenous flags of Aborignal Australia and Maori New Zealand will be be flown at matches in their countries.
The request to fly the flags had been made via the tournament’s cultural advisory panel, as well as Football Australia and New Zealand Football.
“FIFA recognises the importance of First Nations in Australia and Māori as tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand in the hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. An important step in the delivery and preparation of the tournament was the establishment of an all-women cultural advisory panel to create enduring relationships in partnership with First Nations and Māori communities and to ensure meaningful engagement and inclusion for all cultural touchpoints across the tournament,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
FIFA has taken a number of steps to recognise the unique cultures and stories of both countries including all Host Cities feature the English wording alongside te reo Māori and First Nations Australian traditional place name translations, whilst traditional cultures are represented across all World Cup branding.
First Nations and Māori cultures will also be strongly represented throughout team welcomes and on matchdays, including in ceremonies and through team captains’ armbands.
New Zealand Football Chief Executive Officer Andrew Pragnell said: “Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 provides an opportunity to shape the way the tournament evolves and interacts with its hosts in future editions and in particular in recognising the rights of Indigenous people worldwide.
“Flying tino rangatiratanga at the tournament alongside the official country flag is a powerful symbol, reflecting the partnership between the Crown and Māori that is the foundation of this country.”
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