History of Women's World Cup

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The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the ninth edition of the tournament and it will kick off on Thursday, July 20.

The tournament will take place in Australia and New Zealand, and it will be the first Women’s World Cup to be played simultaneously across two countries.

Thirty-two teams will compete in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, an increase of eight teams from the previous tournament held in France in 2019.

This year’s women’s tournament is set to be the biggest ever. More football fans will watch the competition than any previous Women’s World Cup.

But what about those early Women’s World Cup tournaments? The competition has come a long way since its first event.

WWC The Beginning

The Women’s World Cup can trace its roots back to the 1970s. Back then, an unofficial tournament took place due to many countries and football associations banning women’s football.

It wasn’t until 1991 that the first official FIFA Women’s World Cup took place. The event featured just 12 teams and was held in China.

The United States lifted the inaugural Women’s World Cup trophy after defeating Norway 2-1 in the final.

Four years later in Sweden, Norway got revenge, defeating the USWNT in the semifinals 1-0 on their way to winning the tournament. Norway defeated Germany 2-0 in the final held in Solna, Sweden.

The 1999 Women’s World Cup is arguably the most famous, at least in the United States.

The tournament was held in America, with the Yanks winning on penalties 5-4 against China following a nil-nil draw. The final is famous for Brandi Chastain’s iconic celebration, taking off her shirt post-game.

WWC The 2000s

By the time the Women's World Cup kicked off in 2003, the tournament featured 16 teams. For the second consecutive edition, the tournament was held in the USA. This time, the USWNT could win the trophy on home soil.

Germany won their first World Cup trophy thanks to a 2-1 extra-time win over Sweden. Four years later, Germany won the Women’s World Cup for a second time, defeating Brazil 2-0 in China.

WWC The 2010s

Two women’s teams dominated the 2010s. The USWNT returned to the forefront of women’s football during the decade, The Yanks reached the final of all three tournaments held in 2011, 2015, and 2019.

In 2011, it wasn’t the USWNT that came out on top, however. Japan, playing in Germany, defeated the USWNT 3-1 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw after extra time. It was Japan’s first World Cup trophy.

Four years later in Canada, the USWNT got their revenge, defeating Japan 5-2 in Vancouver in the final. At France ‘19, the Americans were once again the favourites, and they rolled to the tournament trophy.

The USWNT defeated the reigning European Championship winners, the Netherlands, 2-0 in Lyon.

Women’s World Cup winners

• USA 1991

• Norway 1995

• USA 1999

• Germany 2003

• Germany 2007

• Japan 2011

• USA 2015

• USA 2019

The USWNT have won the most Women’s World Cups tournaments. The Yanks have four trophies, two more than Germany. The Americans are once again considered the favourite to win the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.