Indigenous flags fly at Women’s World Cup venues in Australia and New Zealand
Indigenous flags will be flown at Women’s World Cup stadiums in Australia and New Zealand after the International Football Board agreed to make exceptions to the usually restrictive FIFA matchday rules for tournament venues.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags will be displayed along with the national flag at all six locations in Australia. All three are official flags of Australia. The Maori flag, known as Tino Rangatiratanga, and the official New Zealand flag will be displayed at all 29 New Zealand matches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the decision Friday, during a week celebrating Australia’s Indigenous people.
“FIFA has recognized the request from its Cultural Advisory Panel and Football Australia and New Zealand Football, which was supported by governments in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand,” Infantino said in a statement. “These important flags express a spirit of mutual respect, national identity and recognition of indigenous cultures for our hosts.”
‘Powerful symbol’
New Zealand football CEO Andrew Pragnell said displaying the Tino Rangatiratanga at the tournament alongside the New Zealand flag “is a powerful symbol”.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said the endorsement is “aligned with the values of our organization with diversity and inclusion at its core… and our vision for the tournament.”
The Women’s World Cup starts on July 20 with New Zealand against Norway in Auckland and Australia against Ireland in Sydney.
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