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Photo essay: FIFA Women's World Cup teams officially welcomed to Auckland

The Football Ferns arrive at Spark Arena for the FIFA Women's World Cup official pōwhiri.
The Football Ferns arrive with guitar in tow, ready to lead a waiata in the pōwhiri. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang

The international football teams got their first taste of New Zealand this afternoon with a pōwhiri and performances, as well as hearty Kiwi fare today.

400 dignitaries and teams, including the defending champions the United States' women's team, gathered at Spark Arena for the ceremony.

The New Zealand Football Ferns also sang a waiata, led by forward Hannah Wilkinson on guitar.

She said the anticipation for the tournament is growing more and more.

"You can feel the energy, you can feel the spiritual uniqueness around, you could feel the mauri in the air, it was amazing,

"It's really, really coming fast now ... it's really exciting."

After the ceremony, the teams were welcomed to nibbles that included good old fashioned pies.

The tournament gets under way next Thursday with New Zealand facing Norway.

International football teams arrive at Spark Arena for the official FIFA Women's World Cup pōwhiri.
International football teams arrive at Spark Arena for the FIFA Women's World Cup pōwhiri to Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
Football Fern Elizabeth Anton steps off the team bus at Spark Arena, Auckland.
Football Fern Elizabeth Anton steps off the team bus at Spark Arena, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
The USA women's national soccer team pose with a kapa haka group at the official pōwhiri for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
The USA women's national soccer team pose with a kapa haka group. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
Football Fern Ali Riley and her teammates practice waiata outside Spark Arena, Auckland.
Football Fern Ali Riley and her teammates practice waiata outside Spark Arena, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
Norway's national women's football team arrives at Spark Arena, Auckland for the official FIFA Women's World Cup pōwhiri.
Norway's national women's football team arrives at Spark Arena, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
A warrior lays down a token in a wero (ceremonial challenge) for FIFA officials and the international football teams.
Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang

A warrior lays down a token in a wero (ceremonial challenge) for FIFA officials and the international football teams.

Football teams being led to their seats at the official pōwhiri for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Football teams being led to their seats. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
Football teams taking their seat at the pōwhiri for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Football teams taking their seat at the pōwhiri. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
The NZ Football Ferns leading a waiata at the official pōwhiri for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
The NZ Football Ferns leading a waiata. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
The USA women's national soccer team takes a selfie with a kapa haka group at the official pōwhiri for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
The USA women's national soccer team takes a selfie with a kapa haka group. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
A kapa haka group performs at the official pōwhiri for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
A kapa haka group performs. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/493783/photo-essay-fifa-women-s-world-cup-teams-officially-welcomed-to-auckland