What is the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup?
It was the year of the very first FIFA Women’s World Cup. To test the waters for an international women’s football tournament, FIFA staged a prototype event of the soon-to-be Women’s World Cup called the “FIFA Women’s Invitation Tournament”. It was held in China in 1988 – 58 years after the first men’s FIFA World Cup in 1930.
When did China host the Women's World Cup?
As compensation, China retained its automatic qualification to the 2003 tournament as host nation, and was automatically chosen to host the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. Germany hosted the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, as decided by vote in October 2007. In March 2011, FIFA awarded Canada the right to host the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Who scored the first goal in women's World Cup history?
Chinese defender Ma Li scored the first goal in Women's World Cup history, while goalkeeper Zhong Honglian, also of China, posted the first official "clean sheet" in the tournament. The 12 qualified teams were divided into three groups of four (A to C).
Where did the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup take place?
It took place in Guangdong, China from 16 to 30 November 1991. FIFA, football's international governing body selected China as host nation as Guangdong had hosted a prototype world championship three years earlier, the 1988 FIFA Women's Invitation Tournament.
In which country was the first women's FIFA World Cup held?
ChinaThe competition has been held every four years and one year after the men's FIFA World Cup since 1991, when the inaugural tournament, then called the FIFA Women's World Championship, was held in China.
Which country hosted the first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1996?
Sweden became the first country to host both men's and women's World Cup, having hosted the men's in 1958. Australia, Canada, and England made their debuts in the competition. The tournament also hosted as qualification for the 1996 Summer Olympics, with the eight quarter-finalists being invited to the Olympics.
Who has won the most FIFA Women's World Cup?
United StatesThe most recent World Cup, hosted by France in 2019, was won by the United States, who beat the Netherlands 2–0 to win their second consecutive and fourth overall title....List of FIFA Women's World Cup finals.Organising bodyFIFACurrent championsUnited States (4th title)Most successful team(s)United States (4 titles)3 more rows
When was the first Women's World Cup 1991?
30 November 1991The 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup was the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup, the world championship for women's national association football teams. It took place in Guangdong, China from 16 to 30 November 1991.
Who was first Women's football Cup?
Doncaster Belles were the first winners of the Women's FA Cup, England won their first international under the FA's auspices 10-0 in Slovenia and the FA began to administer a new FA Women's Premier League with three divisions.
Where is women's World Cup held?
List of hostsYearHostContinent2011GermanyEurope2015CanadaNorth America2019FranceEurope2023Australia & New ZealandAsia & Oceania5 more rows
What does FIFA mean in English?
Fédération Internationale de Football AssociationFédération Internationale de Football Association: the international governing body of association football.
What does FIFA stand for?
International Federation of Association FootballFIFA / Full nameFIFA — Soccer's World Governing Body Founded in 1904 to provide unity among national soccer associations, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) boasts 209 members, rivaling that of the United Nations, and is arguably the most prestigious sports organization in the world.
Which country won both mens and womens FIFA World Cup?
Japan'sJapan's win in 2011 was the first Asian team to win a FIFA World Cup (including both men and women).
Who won Women's World Cup 1991?
the United StatesIt was played between Norway and the United States to determine the winner of the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup. The United States beat Norway 2–1, with two goals from Michelle Akers-Stahl, to become winners of the first ever FIFA Women's World Cup.
When was the first men's World Cup?
19301930 FIFA World Cup Uruguay™
Where will the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup be held?
AustraliaNew Zealand2023 FIFA Women's World Cup/Location
When was the first women's world cup?
The first Women’s World Cup taking place in 1991 came a whole 61 years after the first Men’s World Cup in 1930 and even before it became a women’s Olympic sporting event in 1996. The tournament faced a considerable amount of reluctance and controversy, but was nonetheless truly a coming of age story for women’s football.
When was the Women's World Cup held?
It was held in China in 1988 – 58 years after the first men’s FIFA World Cup in 1930.
Why was the Women's World Cup important?
The Women’s World Cup gaining recognition helped to highlight crucial issues in the sporting community and to push an agenda for equal rights on the pitch. The 1991 matches were a first big step in celebrating women’s achievements and representation at all levels of the game showing the world that the “F” in football can also stand for “female”.
When was the first women's soccer tournament?
After the tournament was deemed a success, FIFA approved the establishment of a Women’s World Cup and the first official tournament took place in 1991. The event, however, was surrounded by controversy as it didn’t even carry the title “FIFA Women’s World Cup”. Instead, the tournament was called the "1st FIFA World Championship for Women's Football ...
When did women's football start?
Professional women’s football first saw its rise in 1971 when the English Football Association lifted the ban on women’s football, but it was only as late as 1991 that women’s football received recognition and a significant boost on an international scale. It was the year of the very first FIFA Women’s World Cup.
How long was the M&Ms Cup?
There was further debate surrounding the length of both the event (only two weeks) and the duration of the matches, which were only 80 minutes long rather than the usual 90 minutes of men’s matches.
Where was the first women's world cup?
It took place in Guangdong, China from 16 to 30 November 1991. FIFA, football's international governing body selected China as host nation as Guangdong had hosted a prototype world championship three years earlier, the 1988 FIFA Women's Invitation Tournament. Matches were played in the provincial capital, Guangzhou, as well as in Foshan, Jiangmen and Zhongshan. The competition was sponsored by Mars, Incorporated, maker of M&M's candy. With FIFA still reluctant to bestow their "World Cup" brand, the tournament was officially known as the 1st FIFA World Championship for Women's Football for the M&M's Cup.
Who won the first FIFA World Cup?
It was won by the United States , whose captain April Heinrichs formed a forward line dubbed the " triple–edged sword " with Carin Jennings and Michelle Akers-Stahl.
Which country hosted the 1988 FIFA Women's World Championship?
FIFA, football's international governing body selected China as host nation as Guangdong had hosted a prototype world championship three years earlier, the 1988 FIFA Women's Invitation Tournament. Matches were played in the provincial capital, Guangzhou, as well as in Foshan, Jiangmen and Zhongshan. The competition was sponsored by Mars, ...
How many female referees were there in FIFA?
For the first time in FIFA competition, six female officials were included. All functioned as assistant referees, except for Cláudia Vasconcelos who took charge of the third place play-off; becoming the first woman to referee a match sanctioned by FIFA.
When was the first women's soccer tournament?
Soccer pioneers recall the first Women’s World Cup. Female soccer players have made great strides since the quadrennial tournament was first held in 1991. But the fight for equality continues. Female soccer players are riding a wave of attention and accolades this summer, as fans around the world have been tuning into the 2019 FIFA Women’s World ...
How many world championships have women won in soccer?
In the 28 years since the inception of the Women’s World Cup, the U.S. women’s soccer team has won four of eight world championships.
What percentage of women's sports media coverage is female?
Other ongoing disparities include media coverage and an imbalance between male and female coaches. Women’s sports receive only four percent of all sports media coverage, despite female athletes accounting for 40 percent of all sports participants, according to the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport.
Where did the USA women's soccer team compete in the 1991 World Cup?
The USA Women’s Soccer team poses after placing first in the 1991 CONCACAF Women’s Soccer Tournament in Haiti . The win qualified the team for the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, which they won. Photograph by Focus on Sport, Getty. Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
When did the Women's Tennis Association start?
The group formed the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973. Threatened by this rival group, the USLTA invited the women back—this time offering them equal prize money.
Who scored the second goal in the 2019 Women's World Cup?
Forward Alex Morgan celebrates after scoring her second goal for the United States during the 2019 Women's World Cup semifinal soccer match against England. Photograph by Alessandra Tarantino, AP. Please be respectful of copyright.
Who inspired women's soccer?
In their struggle to gain recognition and equal treatment, the trailblazers in women’s soccer drew inspiration from tennis great Billie Jean King , whose famous “ Battle of the Sexes ” match in 1973 set a new precedent for women in sports.
Who won the first World Cup?
In the final, Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2 in front of 93,000 people in Montevideo, and became the first nation to win the World Cup. After the creation of the World Cup, FIFA and the IOC disagreed over the status of amateur players, and so football was dropped from the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Where was the 2015 Women's World Cup held?
The BC Place in Vancouver hosting a 2015 Women's World Cup match. An equivalent tournament for women's football, the FIFA Women's World Cup, was first held in 1991 in China. The women's tournament is smaller in scale and profile than the men's, but is growing; the number of entrants for the 2007 tournament was 120, more than double that of 1991.
What is the FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup, often simply called the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association ( FIFA ), the sport's global governing body.
How far in advance does FIFA make decisions on who will host the World Cup?
The decision on who will host the World Cup is usually made six or seven years in advance of the tournament.
How many teams were there in the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
The tournament was expanded to 24 teams in 1982, and then to 32 in 1998, also allowing more teams from Africa, Asia and North America to take part.
How many countries participated in the 1930 World Cup?
In total, 13 nations took part: seven from South America, four from Europe, and two from North America. Estadio Centenario, the location of the first World Cup final in 1930 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Why were the World Cups controversial?
The locations were controversial because South America and Europe were by far the two centres of strength in football and travel between them required three weeks by boat. The decision to hold the first World Cup in Uruguay, for example, led to only four European nations competing. The next two World Cups were both held in Europe. The decision to hold the second of these in France was disputed, as the South American countries understood that the location would alternate between the two continents. Both Argentina and Uruguay thus boycotted the 1938 FIFA World Cup.
What happened in 1962 World Cup?
Chile hosted the 1962 World Cup. Two years before the tournament, an earthquake struck, the largest ever recorded at 9.5 magnitude, prompting officials to rebuild due to major damage to infrastructure. When the competition began, two of the best players were in poor form as Pelé was injured in Brazil's second group match against Czechoslovakia. Also, the Soviet Union saw their goalkeeper Lev Yashin show poor form including a 2–1 loss to hosts Chile as the hosts captured third place.
How many countries participated in the World Cup?
In total, 13 nations took part – seven from South America, four from Europe and two from North America.
Why do all the final group games have to be held simultaneously?
As of the 1986 World Cup, all final group games must be held simultaneously, a rule instituted by FIFA to minimize collusion amongst teams requiring a certain result to advance. FIFA instituted a policy to award three points for a win in the 1994 World Cup.
What was the impact of World War II on FIFA?
During World War II, FIFA struggled to keep itself afloat, and it had no financial or personnel resources with which to plan a peacetime tournament for when hostilities ended. When the war ended in 1945, it was clear that FIFA would have no hope in a single year of planning and scheduling a 1946 World Cup.
How many teams were there in the 1982 World Cup?
The 1980s. Spain hosted an expanded 1982 World Cup which featured 24 teams, the first expansion since 1934. The teams were divided into six groups of four, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the second round, where they split into four groups of three.
What was the only tournament not to have a final tie?
The 1950 World Cup was the only tournament not to stage a final tie, replacing knockout rounds with two group phases. The last match of the second group phase, however, is sometimes referred to as a "final", as the group standings meant the winners would be the overall winners.
Why was Yugoslavia excluded from the World Cup?
FR Yugoslavia was excluded due to UN sanctions in connection with the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Colombia qualified unexpectedly defeating Argentina 5-0. Japan narrowly missed a ticket to the World Cup after drawing with Iraq in the final match of the qualification round, remembered by fans as the " Agony of Doha ".
Which country hosted the Women's World Cup?
The decision came after a vote by the FIFA Executive Committee. Upon the selection, France became the third European nation to host the Women's World Cup (following Sweden and Germany), and the fourth country to host both men's and women's World Cup, having hosted the men's tournament in 1938 and 1998 .
When was the Women's World Cup 2019?
It took place between 7 June and 7 July 2019, with 52 matches staged in nine cities in France, which was awarded the right to host the event in March 2015, the first time the country hosted the tournament. The tournament was the first Women's World Cup to use the video assistant referee (VAR) system.
How many teams were drawn in the 2018 FIFA Women's World Rankings?
The 24 teams were drawn into six groups of four teams. The 24 teams were allocated to four pots based on the FIFA Women's World Rankings released on 7 December 2018, with hosts France automatically placed in Pot 1 and position A1 in the draw. Teams from Pot 1 were drawn first and assigned to Position 1.
How many people watched the 2019 FIFA World Cup?
A total of 1.12 billion people globally watched the matches, and the final match attracted 82.18 million viewers, setting a new FIFA Women’s World Cup record, surpassing the 2015 final. The 2019 tournament set several new viewership records for various countries.
How many players are in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup squad?
Main article: 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup squads. Each team had to provide to FIFA a preliminary squad of between 23 and 50 players by 26 April 2019, which was not to be published. From the preliminary squad, each team had to name a final squad of 23 players (three of whom must be goalkeepers) by 24 May 2019.
What is the knockout stage in FIFA Women's World Cup?
In the knockout stage, if a match was level at the end of 90 minutes of normal playing time, extra time was played (two periods of 15 minutes each), where each team was allowed to make a fourth substitution.
How many women's teams were there in the 2023 World Cup?
This was the second and last edition with 24 teams before expanding to 32 teams for the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand .
Overview
Draw
The draw for the group stage was held on 14 September 1991 at the Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, China. The draw was part of a televised two-hour live show, featuring songs in both Chinese and English from the female singers Zhang Qiang (Beijing), Lin Ping (Guangzhou), Jenny Tseng (Hong Kong) and Irene Yeh [zh] (Taiwan).
Squads
For a list of the squads that contended for the final tournament, see 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup squads.
Tournament review
FIFA's technical report demonstrates that, after the tournament, players and officials were undecided whether to persist with 80-minute matches, or to change to 90 minutes in line with men's football. Opinion was also divided about the suitability of using a size five football. Some teams reported difficulty in sourcing good quality equipment in the correct size.
The tournament was considered a major success in the quality of play and attendances at the g…
Statistics
There were 99 goals scored in 26 matches, for an average of 3.81 goals per match. Michelle Akers-Stahl of the United States won the Golden Shoe award for scoring ten goals.
10 goals
• Michelle Akers-Stahl
7 goals
See also
• Women's association football portal
External links
• FIFA Women's World Cup China PR 1991, FIFA.com
• FIFA Technical Report (Part 1) and (Part 2)
• "Ellas también gambetean: La histórica, y nada desvirtuada, primera copa mundial de fútbol femenino". La Refundación (in Spanish). 15 May 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2019.