Edmonton (APP) – The 2015 Women´s World Cup started on Saturday with hosts Canada playing Group A rivals China in the opening game in Edmonton.
The biggest tournament in the history of the women´s game is the first major event since damaging FIFA corruption allegations which had threatened to overshadow the four-week tournament.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had been due to attend the opening ceremony but cancelled on the eve of Sepp Blatter´s announcement that he would step down as president of the global body.
The tournament first held in 1991 in China has been expanded to 24 teams from 16 for the first time.
In addition to Edmonton, five other cities are hosting games — Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton.
