FIFA Women's World Cup Facts

• The Women's World Cup began in 1991 in China, 61 years after the men's first Cup, and the United States emerged victorious in the inaugural tournament.

• Brazilian player Formiga stands alone, appearing in seven Women's World Cups from 1995 to 2019.

• The United States has won the competition more than twice (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019).

• The 2007 Women's World Cup made history by featuring only teams that had previously played in a final tournament, a unique event in football.

• Japan became the first Asian team to win a FIFA World Cup (2011).

• Australian Ellyse Perry participated in both the women's cricket (2009) and football World Cups (2011), showcasing her sporting versatility.

• The 2015 Women's World Cup was the first played on artificial turf.

• In 2015, Ecuador's Vanessa Arauz became the youngest coach in World Cup history at just 26 years old.

• In 2015, FIFA increased teams' participation from 16 to 24; in 2023, 32 teams will compete.

• The 1999 final attracted the most fans in a women's sporting event (90,185).

• USA's Christie Rampone became the oldest Women's World Cup player at 40 years old during the 2015 tournament.

• Carli Lloyd of the USA made history by scoring the first hat-trick in a Women's World Cup final in 2015.

• The 2003 Women's World Cup moved from China to the United States due to the SARS epidemic.

• The 1999 Women's World Cup final drew a record 90,185 fans at the Rose Bowl in California.

• Eight teams participated in all five previous tournaments except China PR.

• Brazil's Marta holds the record for most Women's World Cup goals, scoring 17 between 2003 and 2019.

• The regulation time changed to 90 minutes in 1995.

• Kristine Lilly of the USA holds the record for most Women's World Cup matches played, with 30 appearances. Kristine Lilly played in all five editions.

• Ifeanyi Chiejine made history as the youngest player at just 16 years old.

• Terry McCahill scored the first own goal in 1991.

• From 1991 to 1999, Norway accomplished an impressive feat by securing ten consecutive victories.

FIFA World Cup
Year Host Winners Runners-up
1991 China United States Norway
1995 Sweden Norway Germany
1999 US United States China
2003 US Germany Sweden
2007 China Germany Brazil
2011 Germany Japan United States
2015 Canada United States Japan
2019 France United States Netherlands