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FIFA Women's World Cup History 1991–2027

Every Women's World Cup since the 1991 inaugural in China. USA 4 titles (most). Germany 2 (2003, 2007). Spain's 2023 first title. Tournament expansion to 32 teams in 2023 — record attendance.

9 editions played (through 2023) · 2027 Women's WC: Brazil · Last verified 2026-05-31

All 9 finalsBy nationUSA dominanceGrowth in audienceTop scorersGolden Ball winnersHostsFirstsPrize money2027 forward

All 9 FIFA Women's World Cup finalsQuestion: "Who won every Women's World Cup?"

YearWinnerScoreRunner-upHost(s)
1991USA2–1NorwayChina
1995Norway2–0GermanySweden
1999USA0–0 (5–4 pen.)ChinaUSA
2003Germany2–1 (golden goal)SwedenUSA
2007Germany2–0BrazilChina
2011Japan2–2 (3–1 pen.)USAGermany
2015USA5–2JapanCanada
2019USA2–0NetherlandsFrance
2023Spain1–0EnglandAustralia + New Zealand
2027TBDTBDBrazil

USA won 1999 at Rose Bowl in front of 90,185 — record women's sports attendance at the time. Source: FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.

Titles by nationQuestion: "Which country has won the most Women's World Cups?"

NationTitlesLost finalsYears won
USA411991, 1999, 2015, 2019
Germany212003, 2007
Norway111995
Japan112011
Spain102023

USA has won 50% of all Women's World Cups (4 of 9). Source: FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.

USA's Women's World Cup dominanceQuestion: "How dominant has the USA been?"

TournamentResultKey player(s)
1991 (first ever)ChampionMichelle Akers (10 goals)
19953rd
1999Champion (penalty win at Rose Bowl)Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm
20033rd
20073rd
2011Runner-upAbby Wambach
2015Champion (5-2 vs Japan)Carli Lloyd (hat-trick in final, incl. 50-yard goal)
2019Champion (back-to-back)Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan
2023Round of 16 (earliest exit ever)

USA reached the semifinals or better in 8 of the first 8 World Cups. Source: U.S. Soccer + FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.

TV audience growth 1991-2023Question: "How has Women's World Cup viewership grown?"

YearCumulative live TV audience (est.)Final viewership (est.)
1991~500 million~20 million
1999~1 billion~40 million
2015~750 million~25 million (US final 26.7M — record US soccer audience)
2019~1.12 billion (FIFA estimate)~82 million
2023~2 billion (FIFA estimate)~100+ million

2023 Australia/NZ tournament drew highest combined attendance ever (1.97 million). Source: FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.

All-time top scorers — Women's World CupQuestion: "Who has scored the most goals in Women's World Cup history?"

PlayerGoalsNation
Marta17Brazil (most ever)
Birgit Prinz14Germany
Abby Wambach14USA
Michelle Akers12USA
Sun Wen11China

Marta has scored in 5 different Women's World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019). Source: FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.

FIFA Women's Golden Ball winners (tournament MVP)Question: "Who has won Women's World Cup MVP?"

YearPlayerNation
1991Carin JenningsUSA
1995Hege RiiseNorway
1999Sun WenChina
2003Birgit PrinzGermany
2007MartaBrazil
2011Homare SawaJapan
2015Carli LloydUSA
2019Megan RapinoeUSA
2023Aitana BonmatíSpain

No player has won Women's Golden Ball twice. Source: FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.

Women's World Cup host countriesQuestion: "Which countries have hosted the Women's World Cup?"

YearHost(s)Format
1991China12 teams
1995Sweden12 teams
1999USA16 teams
2003USA (moved from China due to SARS)16 teams
2007China16 teams
2011Germany16 teams
2015Canada24 teams
2019France24 teams
2023Australia + New Zealand32 teams (expanded)
2027Brazil (first in South America)32 teams

2023 was first Women's World Cup outside Asia, Europe, or North America. Source: FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.

Women's World Cup firstsQuestion: "What are the historic firsts in Women's World Cup history?"

YearFirst
1991First Women's World Cup (China, 12 teams)
1999First final at neutral venue (Rose Bowl) drew 90,185 — record women's sports crowd
2003First Germany title
2011First Asian team to win (Japan)
2015Tournament expanded to 24 teams
2019USA win back-to-back (only team to do so)
2023First tournament outside Asia/Europe/N. America; First Spain title; 32-team field

Source: FIFA + U.S. Soccer Federation. Last verified 2026-05-31.

Prize money — historic growthQuestion: "How much has Women's World Cup prize money grown?"

YearTotal prize poolWinner share
2007$5.8 million$1 million
2011$10 million$1 million
2015$15 million$2 million
2019$30 million$4 million
2023$150 million$10.5 million
2027$210 million (announced)$20+ million (target)

FIFA committed to equal prize money with Men's WC by 2026/27. Source: FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.

2027 Brazil — first South American hostingQuestion: "Where is the 2027 Women's World Cup?"

Aspect2027 plan
HostBrazil (first South American host)
Cities/venues10 cities expected (including Rio + São Paulo)
Teams32
FormatSame as 2023
Prize money$210M (announced)

2027 is also the first Women's WC with announced parity with men's prize money. Source: FIFA. Last verified 2026-05-31.