The original trophy for the FIFA Women’s World Cup arrives in Auckland on Thursday (June 1) to begin a promotional tour of the nine host cities in New Zealand and Australia.
The trophy has been taken to all 32 participating nations in an official tour that began in Melbourne in February.
It has since travelled thousands of miles across oceans and continents, spreading enthusiasm and anticipation for the world’s largest women’s sporting event.
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “The FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour has created a sense of unity throughout its journey, showcasing the power of sport in bringing people together.
“Women and girls have been inspired by the arrival of the trophy in their home cities, and now finally, it is going to arrive in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. The host nations will do a fantastic job in continuing to spread the trophy tour’s theme of #GoingBeyond and celebrating the participation of women and girls in our beautiful game.”
The trophy will make a five-day stop in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau in Aotearoa New Zealand before going to Sydney/Gadigal, Australia.
From there, it will travel to Melbourne/Naarm, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, Dunedin/Ōtepoti, Brisbane/Meaanjin, Adelaide/Tarntanya, and Perth/Boorloo, before a visit to Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara rounds out the tour.
Importantly, the trophy will also make several regional visits throughout the host county tour, ensuring communities outside of major metropolitan centres also have an opportunity to be inspired and excited by the trophy and tournament.
FIFA Legends and other special guests will appear at various stops in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, with a mission to inspire, coach and spotlight future female football talent of all levels and backgrounds.
As the trophy has travelled the globe, more women and girls continue to participate in Skills Drills, a football skills social media challenge being led by Female Football Freestyle World Champion Lia Lewis, in collaboration with FIFA.
The Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia leg of the tour is delivered by Team Global Express.
Trophy tour stops
June 1-5
Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau
June 8-12
Sydney/Gadigal
June 14-16
Melbourne/Naarm
June 17-20
Hamilton/Kirikiriroa
June 22-25
Dunedin/Ōtepoti
June 28-July 1
Brisbane/Meaanjin
July 2-4
Adelaide/Tarntanya
July 7-10
Perth/Boorloo
July 12-14
Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara
July 20
Opening ceremony, FIFA Women’s World Cup
Eden Park, Auckland