Speaking in Auckland prior to the opening match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park, he referenced his monologue from the men's World Cup in Qatar last year.

"For those of you who are waiting to hear how I feel today, today I feel tired, because I just landed, but I feel very happy," the Swiss-Italian official said.

"It's a great joy and happiness to be here."

Infantino claimed he only wanted to talk about positive aspects during the tournament when asked about issues such as gender pay gap disparity.

The 2022 World Cup was overshadowed by controversy surrounding the treatment of migrant workers and the host country's human rights record.

In November, he said: "Today I feel Qatari, I feel Arab, I feel African, I feel gay, I feel disabled, I feel a migrant worker."

Following the first fixture in Group A, Australia is then set to play debutants the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney also on the opening day.

In what is the ninth edition of the Women's World Cup, which is due to conclude with the final in Sydney on August 20, it is the first time that the event is being contested by 32 teams.

Organisers hope the first two fixtures will attract an aggregate crowd of 100,000 fans.

It is expected to be the most-watched Women's World Cup with more than 1.3 million tickets sold already for the 64 matches taking place in 10 venues across nine cities.

Television records are also being targeted with the aim of attracting two billion viewers, a figure that would be double the amount from France 2019.

"The future is women," said Infantino.

"Thanks to the fans for supporting what will be the greatest FIFA Women's World Cup ever."

As well as the Irish, seven other nations are making their debuts in the form of Vietnam, Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, and Zambia.

The latter are the lowest-ranked team at the tournament, while four-time winners and defending champions the United States are the number one side in the world.

The last time the US lost a Women's World Cup game was in 2011 when they were beaten on penalties by Japan in the final in Frankfurt.  

However, manager Jill Ellis has stepped down while two-time World Cup and double Olympic gold medallist Carli Lloyd has ended her international career after scoring a record 134 goals in 316 appearances.

The US squad features a relatively inexperienced side, with 14 of the 23 players appearing at their first edition of the tournament.

This could leave the door open for a new victor and the likes of European champions England and Spain, who boast two-time Ballon d'Or Féminin winner Alexia Putellas, will both be eyeing a first title.