SHOOTING WILL NOT AFFECT THE TOURNAMENT, INSIST FIFA

>> THREE DEAD AFTER ATTACK NEAR EDEN PARK

- Simon Collings

FIFA this morning insisted that the Women's World Cup will go ahead safely, despite a deadly shooting in Auckland hours before the opening match in the city.

A gunman killed two people and injured six others, including police officers, in the attack less than three miles from Eden Park, where co-hosts New Zealand produced a huge upset by beating Norway 1-0 as the tournament got underway as planned.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that the gunman also died and said that the shooting was not being seen as an act of terrorism. He described it as a "standalone incident" and said fans should feel safe to attend matches.

The shooting in Auckland began at about 7.20am local time.

Police said they heard reports of a person discharging a firearm inside a construction site, and the gunman moved through the building and continued to fire.

The man then went into a lift shaft and police attempted to engage with him. Further shots were fired by the man and he was found dead a short time later, police said.