Security was boosted before the opening Women’s World Cup game after a shooting in Auckland, with a gunman killing two people at a construction site about 12 hours before co-host New Zealand’s match against Norway.
Norway’s team hotel is within a short distance of the shooting, which happened in the tourist area of the city near the harbour ferry terminal.
Captain Maren Mjelde said players were woken up by a helicopter hovering outside the venue. “We felt safe the whole time,” she said in a statement. “Fifa has a good security system at the hotel and we have our own security officer in the squad. “Everyone seems calm and we are preparing as normal for the game (at 8am UK time on Thursday).
Officials from Eden Park, where the game is being played after an opening ceremony for the tournament, encouraged fans to arrive at the stadium early. “There will be an increased security presence within the precinct and across the venue.