Australia welcomes Fifa decision to fly indigenous flags at World Cup

CANBERRA, Australia - Football Australia has welcomed a decision by Fifa to fly indigenous flags at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Football's global governing body on Friday announced that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags will fly with the Australian national flag, and the Maori flag alongside that of New Zealand at matches in the respective countries during the historic World Cup, said Xinhua.

In a statement, FA chief executive James Johnson thanked Fifa for the decision and the governments of Australia and New Zealand for their support.

"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.

The announcement was made 13 days until the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which will be held between July 20 and Aug 20.

Only the top two teams from eight groups will enter the round of 16, as this is the first time that women's football's biggest tournament will expand to a 32-team format.

New Zealand will play Norway in Auckland and Australia face Ireland in Sydney on July 20.

Australia's 23-player squad for the tournament, which was announced on Monday, features two indigenous players - striker Kyah Simon and goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who will join teammate Clare Polkinghorne in becoming the first Australians to go to five World Cups. - BERNAMA-XINHUA