Football Australia and New Zealand Football have received confirmation from FIFA that their request for all official flags of Australia, as well as the official flag of Aotearoa New Zealand and the national Māori flag, to be displayed at FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ match day stadia during the upcoming tournament has been granted.
This confirmation by FIFA will see the Australian national flag, the Australian Aboriginal flag, and the Torres Strait Islander flag on display at all 35 tournament matches played across Australia, with the national Māori flag, known as Tino Rangatiratanga, and the New Zealand national flag featured at all 29 matches in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The presence of all official flags follows a recommendation by the First Sisters of Country Whānau by Sea and Sky – the tournament’s all woman First Nations and Māori 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 of the tournament.
Football Australia, CEO, James Johnson thanked FIFA for supporting this joint request by the co-host Member Associations – Football Australia and New Zealand Football – whilst acknowledging the role both the Australian and New Zealand Governments played in this outcome.
“Confirmation by FIFA that all official flags of Australia will be flown during the FIFA Women’s World Cup is an important moment for all Australians, particularly First Nations People,” Johnson said.
“This decision aligns with the values of our organisation with diversity and inclusion at the core of what we are about as a governing body and our vision for the tournament. It follows the establishment of our National Indigenous Advisory Group, Reconciliation Action Plan, and support for the Voice to Parliament, and is an important moment for Football Australia.
“This joint request received the backing from both Federal Governments, and we would like to thank the Australian Sports Minister and the Indigenous Affairs Minister who were both strong advocates for this initiative for their support. This decision will mean so much to so many.
“FIFA’s support is very much welcomed and will be an enduring symbol of what will be the biggest and most successful FIFA Women’s World Cup in history,” Johnson concluded.
New Zealand Football, CEO, Andrew Pragnell acknowledged the significance of this outcome for the tournament.
“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.
“I want to thank FIFA for this decision as well as acknowledge the work of the New Zealand Government and the tournament’s Cultural Advisory Panel to achieve this outcome,” Pragnell concluded.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, said: “This week, during NAIDOC Week in Australia and just before Aotearoa New Zealand’s Matariki celebrations, FIFA has acknowledged the request made by its Cultural Advisory Panel as well as Football Australia and New Zealand Football, which was supported by Governments in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. These significant flags express a spirit of mutual respect, national identity, and recognition of Indigenous cultures for our hosts.”
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia & New Zealand will kick off on Thursday, 20 July when New Zealand plays Norway at Eden Park, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland and Australia takes on the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia, Gadigal/Sydney.
