Blatter sends best as Women's World Cup kicks off

Outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter sent his good wishes as the 2015 Women's World Cup kicked off on Saturday with hosts Canada playing Group A rivals China in the opening game.

Just before the game the 79-year-old Blatter wrote on his Twitter account: "In one hour, the 7th @FIFAWWC starts in Edmonton. Good Luck to all 24 teams. #CAN & #CHNplay opening game. #FIFAWWC."

The biggest tournament in the history of the women's game opens with FIFA mired in corruption allegations that threaten to overshadow the four-week event.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had been due to attend the opening ceremony but cancelled on the eve of Blatter's shock announcement that he would step down as president.

Blatter had been scheduled to attend the closing ceremony on July 5 in Vancouver, but a FIFA spokesman could not confirm whether he would be present.

The tournament which was first held in 1991 in China has been expanded to 24 teams from 16 for the first time.

New Zealand play the Netherlands in Saturday's second match in Edmonton with titleholders Japan opening their defence Monday in Vancouver against Switzerland.

Organisers expect the tournament's 52 matches to draw 1.5 million people at stadiums in six host cities which also include Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton.
Source: AFP