1999 FIFA Women's World Cup

1999 FIFA Women's World Cup
Year	1999
Other titles	FIFA Women's World Cup USA 1999
Country	United States
Dates	June 19 – July 10
Num teams	16
Champion	USA
Second	CHN
Third	BRA
Fourth	NOR
Matches	32
Goals	123
Attendance	1,194,215
Top scorer	BRA Sissi, CHN Sun Wen, (7 goals each)
Player	USA Sun Wen, USA Michelle Akers
Prevseason	1995
Nextseason	2003

1999 FIFA Women's World Cup was the third edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup, the premier international championship for women's national football teams. Organized by FIFA and hosted by the United States, the tournament was held from June 19 to July 10, 1999, across eight major stadiums. It featured a record 16 teams and culminated in a historic final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The event is widely regarded as a watershed moment for women's sports, setting unprecedented attendance and television viewership records.

Background and qualification

The decision to award the hosting rights to the United States Soccer Federation was made by FIFA in 1995, following the success of the 1995 tournament in Sweden. The expansion from 12 to 16 teams reflected the growing global competitiveness in women's football. Qualification tournaments were held within the six continental confederations, including UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF. Defending champion Norway and host nation United States received automatic berths. Notable qualifiers included debutants North Korea and Ghana, while traditional powers like Germany, China, and Brazil also secured their places.

Venues and schedule

The tournament was staged in eight venues across the United States, selected for their large capacities and geographic diversity. Key stadiums included Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, Soldier Field in Chicago, and Foxboro Stadium near Boston. The Rose Bowl was chosen as the final venue, with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum also hosting several matches. The group stage ran from June 19 to June 30, followed by the knockout phase beginning with the quarterfinals on July 1. The final was scheduled for July 10, coinciding with a weekend to maximize attendance and media coverage.

Participating teams and squads

The 16 participating nations were divided into four groups of four. Group A featured the host United States alongside Denmark, Nigeria, and North Korea. Group B contained defending champion Norway, Russia, Canada, and Japan. Group C included strong contenders Germany and Italy, plus Brazil and Mexico. Group D was headlined by China, Sweden, Australia, and Ghana. Each squad was permitted to name 20 players, with stars like Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Sun Wen, and Sissi headlining their respective teams.

Tournament format and group stage

The format consisted of a round-robin group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout quarterfinals. In Group A, the United States won all three matches, while Denmark finished second. Group B saw Norway top the group, with Russia securing a surprise second place ahead of Canada. Group C was dominated by Germany and Brazil, who both advanced comfortably. In Group D, China and Sweden progressed, with the Chinese side winning the group convincingly.

Knockout stage and final

The quarterfinals began on July 1, with the United States defeating Germany 3–2 and China overcoming Russia 2–0. In the other matches, Brazil beat Nigeria in extra time and Norway edged past Sweden. The semifinals saw the United States triumph over Brazil 2–0, while China defeated Norway 5–0. The third-place match was won by Brazil against Norway in a penalty shootout. The final at the Rose Bowl before 90,185 spectators ended 0–0 after extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. After Liu Ying's shot was saved by Briana Scurry, Brandi Chastain converted the winning penalty, securing a 5–4 shootout victory for the United States.

Statistics and awards

The tournament saw 123 goals scored in 32 matches, averaging 3.84 per game. The Golden Boot was shared by Brazil's Sissi and China's Sun Wen, each with seven goals. The Golden Ball for best player was awarded to Sun Wen, while the Silver Ball went to Brazil's Sissi and the Bronze Ball to United States midfielder Michelle Akers. The FIFA Fair Play Award was won by the China national team. The overall attendance of 1,194,215 set a new record for a women's sporting event, with an average of 37,319 spectators per match.

Legacy and impact

The event is considered a landmark for women's football and women's sports globally. The iconic image of Brandi Chastain celebrating her winning penalty became one of the most famous photographs in sports history. The tournament's massive success, including sold-out stadiums and high television ratings on networks like ESPN and ABC, demonstrated the commercial viability of women's sports. It provided a major impetus for the establishment of professional leagues, most notably the WUSA in 2001. The cultural impact extended beyond sports, influencing discussions on gender equality and inspiring a generation of young athletes worldwide.

Category:FIFA Women's World Cup Category:1999 in American soccer Category:International association football competitions hosted by the United States Category:1999 in women's association football