Memory Lane: The FIFA Women's World Cup

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World cup in Australia and New Zealand promises to be an exciting one as fans are looking forward to many history getting smashed and new records getting set but before then lets go down the memory lane

The first edition of the World Cup was in 1991, held in China. The tournament started with 12 teams participating and they were grouped into three with each group having four teams.

Group A: China, Denmark, New Zealand Norway

Group B: Brazil, Japan, Sweden, USA

Group C: Chinese Taipei, Germany, Italy, Nigeria

The first FIFA Women’s World Cup goal was scored by China’s Ma Li in a game between China and Norway on 16th November 1991.

United States of America made history as they won the maiden edition after defeating Norway by 2-1 in the final.

Sweden 1995
After losing in the 1991 final, Norway became the first European nation to win the Women’s World Cup in 1995. This second edition of the World Cup was hosted by Sweden which also meant Sweden became the first country to host both the Men’s and Women’s World cup.

The 1995 edition had three debutants (Australia, Canada, England). It also served as qualification for the 1996 Summer Olympics as the eight quarter finalists were invited to the Olympics. Also matches lengthened to the standard 90 minutes at the 1995 Women’s World Cup.

USA 1999
United States of America made history as they became the first nation to host and win the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The third edition has also been deemed as the most successful in terms of Attendance, television ratings and public interest.

This edition also had 16 participants, featured all female roasters of referees and match officials with an average spectators of 37,319 attendance per match.

The final played at the Rose Bowl in Pasedena California had 90,185 spectators setting an international record for spectators at Women’s World Cup.

Germany 2003
Germany became the first country to win both the Men’s and Women’s World Cup.

China were the original host of this edition but had to gave up the rights due to SARS Outbreak in early 2003 that affected Guangzhou in Southern China. The 2003 edition also had three debutants Argentina, France , and South Korea.

China 2007
Germany became the first nation to successfully defend a World Cup title in 2007.

The fifth edition opened game was a record breaking match as Germany defeated Argentina 11-0 to register their biggest win and the Highest Scoring Match in Women’s World Cup History.

Germany, 2011
Japan became the first Asian country to lift the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy after defeating USA in the 2011 final in a penalty shoot-out after playing out a 2-2 draw in regular time.

Canada 2015
Canada joined the list of host Nations in 2015 as they hosted the tournament for the first time in their history. It was also the Flfirst time 24 teams participated at the World Cup.

Goal Line Technology was also introduced in Canada with the Hawk Eye System, There was also the use of artificial turf for the first ever at the competition.
USA won the trophy For the third time defeating Japan in the final.

France 2019
The 2019 tournament ushered in the use of Video Assistance Referee (VAR) for the first time. The eight edition also produced three top goal scorers at the end of the tournament.

Ellen White, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe all joint top scorers with six goals each.

USA became the second country after Germany to successfully defend the title but USA won both titles under same Manager Jill Ellis.

The 2023 Edition will have 32 teams participating, also will be hosted by two nations (Australia and New Zealand).

This ninth edition will have countries like Portugal, Haiti, Northern Ireland, Philippine making their World Cup debut while Christian Sinclair (USA) and Oneme Ebi (Nigeria) will be the oldest players in the tournament at 40 years age.

United States of America is the most successful nation in the history of Women’s World Cup winning the tournament four times, Germany are two times winners while both Norway and Japan has won one each.