For the first time in a World Cup, the nine host cities will be referred to by the dual names in all signage, broadcasts, stadiums and online material
When the Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday every city hosting a match will be identified by two names. One will be the English placename people are most familiar with; the other will be in the language of the Indigenous nation whose land the city sits on.
The tournament will get under way in Auckland-Tāmaki Makaurau with the first match between co-hosts New Zealand and Norway. Across the Tasman a few hours later, it’s expected that nearly 80,000 people will pack the stands of Stadium Australia to watch Australia play the Republic of Ireland – that game will be in Sydney/Gadigal. As the tournament progresses, teams will play in cities including Melbourne/Naarm, Perth/Borloo and Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
