1991 FIFA Women's World Cup

1991 FIFA Women's World Cup
Name	1991 FIFA Women's World Cup
Other titles	1st FIFA Women's World Cup
Country	China
Dates	16–30 November 1991
Num teams	12
Champion	USA
Second	Norway
Third	Sweden
Fourth	Germany
Matches	26
Goals	99
Attendance	510000
Top scorer	USA Michelle Akers (10 goals)
Player	USA Carin Jennings
Nextseason	1995

1991 FIFA Women's World Cup was the inaugural edition of the global championship for women's national football teams, organized by the FIFA. Held in the People's Republic of China from 16 to 30 November 1991, the tournament featured twelve teams competing across six stadiums in four host cities. The United States won the championship, defeating Norway 2–1 in the final at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou.

Background

The establishment of a world championship for women's football followed decades of advocacy and growth in the women's game, with pioneering tournaments like the 1988 FIFA Women's Invitation Tournament serving as a successful test event. Under the leadership of FIFA President João Havelange, the world governing body officially sanctioned the event, awarding hosting rights to the Chinese Football Association. This decision built upon the success of women's football at events like the 1990 Asian Games and aimed to capitalize on the sport's rising popularity following the 1986 and 1990 men's tournaments.

Qualification

A total of twelve teams qualified for the final tournament, with the host nation, China, receiving an automatic berth. Continental qualification tournaments were held by the AFC, the CAF, the CONCACAF, the CONMEBOL, and the UEFA. Notable qualifiers included European champions Germany, Sweden, and Italy, alongside emerging powers like Nigeria and Brazil.

Venues

Matches were played in six stadiums across four cities in Guangdong province. The primary venues were Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, which hosted the final, and Guangdong Provincial People's Stadium. Other host cities included Foshan, Jiangmen, and Zhongshan, with matches held at venues like New Plaza Stadium. All stadiums were within a compact geographical area to facilitate team travel and tournament logistics.

Squads

Each of the twelve participating nations named a squad of eighteen players. The United States squad, coached by Anson Dorrance, featured stars like forward Michelle Akers, midfielder Carin Jennings, and goalkeeper Mary Harvey. Key players for other contenders included Heidi Mohr of Germany, Linda Medalen of Norway, and Pia Sundhage of Sweden.

Tournament format

The twelve teams were divided into three groups of four for the initial stage. The group winners and the best runner-up advanced to the knockout semi-finals. All knockout matches, including the final, required a definitive result, employing extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out. This format mirrored structures used in other FIFA tournaments like the 1982 World Cup.

Tournament summary

In Group A, host China won all three matches, including a 4–0 victory over Norway. Group B was dominated by the United States, who defeated Sweden 3–2 in a classic match. Group C saw Germany and Italy advance. In the semi-finals, the United States defeated Germany 5–2, while Norway beat Sweden 4–1. The final at Tianhe Stadium saw goals from Michelle Akers secure a 2–1 victory for the United States over Norway.

Aftermath

The success of the tournament proved the viability of women's football on the world stage, leading FIFA to schedule the next edition for 1995 in Sweden. The victory by the United States provided a massive boost to the sport's profile in North America, contributing to the creation of professional leagues like the W-League. Players like Michelle Akers and Carin Jennings became global stars, inspiring a new generation and paving the way for the inclusion of women's football in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Category:FIFA Women's World Cup Category:1991 in association football Category:1991 in Chinese sport Category:International association football competitions hosted by China Category:November 1991 sports events