Tazuni, a fun and football-loving penguin, has been unveiled today, Wednesday, October 19, 2022 as the Official Mascot of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be hosted by Australia & New Zealand, capturing the spirit of an event that will go ‘Beyond Greatness’.
Based on the ‘Eudyptula minor’ species endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, Tazuni is the perfect representative of the host region and will help to bring the excitement of the highly anticipated tournament to a new generation of fans.
Streetwise and confident, Tazuni stands out from the crowd, thanks to her signature blue tuft of hair. Her name is a fusion of ‘Tasman Sea’ – which she calls home – and ‘unity’, a key value of the event.
The 15-year-old, who plays in midfield, falls in love with football after joining in with a group of kids playing a game on the beach.
Her footballing dreams came true when one evening, she gazed up to see fireworks explode overhead coming from a nearby stadium. The kids from the beach hand over a personalized football kit, and she confidently strode into the stadium to showcase her talents.
An important symbol for the FIFA World Cup
Tazuni will become an important symbol for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia & New Zealand, appearing on official tournament merchandise and media platforms, as well as in real life in community activities ahead of the event.
“Today’s announcement is a major milestone on the road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia & New Zealand. Tazuni stands for everything which makes the Women’s World Cup unique, and her story will resonate with millions of young fans around the world.
“We look forward to her playing a starring role in the tournament and helping to inspire the next generation as we continue to take women’s football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Beyond Greatness.”
FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura
Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer underscored that Tazuni is the perfect mascot for this tournament, exemplifying all that is positive about the biggest women’s football event ever staged, and “our sport-obsessed host nations who are ready to welcome the world”.
“Like millions of youngsters worldwide, football is how Tazuni expresses herself, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 will provide inspiration for a new generation of football fans and participants from across the globe.”
Sarai Bareman
The tournament’s Draw
Tazuni’s first live appearance will be in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau at the tournament’s Draw on October 22, 2022. Fans can watch the Draw, and Tazuni, live from 7.30 pm (NZT) on FIFA+ and on SKY Sport and Prime in Aotearoa New Zealand, and Optus Sport in Australia. Ticket packages for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 are now available.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be the 9th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for women’s national football teams organized by FIFA.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the first time that the FIFA Women’s World Cup will have two host nations. The tournament is scheduled to take place from 20th July to 20th August 2023. The 2023 tournament will see the Women’s World Cup expanded from 24 to 32 teams.
The United States are the defending champions, having won the previous two tournaments in 2015 and 2019. The Philippines, Vietnam, the Republic of Ireland, Morocco and Zambia will make their Women’s World Cup debut.
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