On the eve of the Women's World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dismissed the Matildas' concerns about gender equity, while promising the "biggest and best" tournament.
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Infantino and the world governing body's secretary general Fatma Samoura fronted media in Auckland on Wednesday, a day before the Australia-New Zealand co-hosted event kicks off.
FIFA's president used the tournament-opening press conference before last year's men's World Cup in Qatar to deliver an infamous speech in which he claimed "I feel gay, I feel disabled, I feel a migrant worker".
He referenced those tone-deaf remarks in a much shorter and less pointed opening address in Auckland.
"For those of you who are waiting to hear how I feel today," he said, before pausing to awkward laughs.
"Today I feel tired because I just landed. But I feel very happy."
The Women's World Cup has expanded from previous editions, growing to 32 teams.
With 1.375 million tickets already sold it will be the biggest women's sporting event to date.
However, many teams enter the tournament with clouds over their participation.
Concerns include stand-offs with home federations over pay and conditions - as experienced by teams including England and Canada - and allegations of abuse or broken relationships within team structures.
This week, the Matildas - who in 2015 went on strike for better pay and conditions, forfeiting the chance to play world champions USA - issued a call to arms for FIFA to increase funding for the women's game.
Prize money for the tournament is $US110 million ($A162m), compared to $US440m ($A646m) for the men's competition in Qatar.
Asked for his view on the criticism, including the calls from Australia's players, Infantino waved away concerns.
"Today is the eve of the opening game at the Women's World Cup ... it's a moment to focus on the positives, to focus on the happiness and the joy," he said.
"Until the (final on) 20th of August, you will hear from me only positive things.
"If somebody's still not happy about something, well I'm sorry. I'm happy with everything and I love everyone."
Infantino referenced the increased prize money from the 2019 women's tournament, when FIFA paid out $US30m ($A44m) to the 24 teams.
The 53-year-old urged Australians and Kiwis to pack stands over the next month, saying they would be astonished by the quality of football on offer.
"Many people who still believe women's football is not such a great game, or not so entertaining, or a bad copy of men's football - when they watch a game they will see ... entertainment is guaranteed," he said.
Australian Associated Press
