Host: China
Dates: Nov 16 – Nov 30
Winner: USA
Golden Ball: Carin Jennings (USA)
Golden Boot: Michelle Akers (USA)


The 1991 Women’s World Cup was the first of its kind, defining a true coming of age of women’s football. It had been 61 years since the 1st men’s world cup, highlighting a significant gender gap in the sport for an extended period.


Much controversy went into the 1st Women’s World Cup, as FIFA was still reluctant to give up its superior brand to the women’s side of the sport. Issues surrounding the length of the matches were also prevalent, as the matches were only 80 minutes, as opposed to the normal 90 for men because FIFA didn’t think women could handle a full 90!

Mars Inc. sponsored this international event, and because of the issues of giving up the “World Cup Brand,” the event was dubbed the 1st FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup.” The name was given because Mars was the brand that made M&M’s, ultimately devaluing the importance of the brand for the Women’s World Cup.

It was not until the success of this event that the 1991 event was deemed the “Women’s World Cup.”

In the title match, the U.S. edged Norway 2-1 to claim the first Women’s World Cup title. In 1991, 99 goals were scored throughout the tournament, with an average of 3.8 goals per match.

The 1991 Women’s World Cup served as a great basis for the future of women’s soccer. The World Cup’s success led to the repeat of the event every four years proving that the women’s game could be as exciting as the men's.

Far too many issues remain in women’s soccer to say it’s in a good place. Nearly every NWSL club has had some sort of abuse scandal over the last year, broadcasters and media don’t pay enough attention to the women’s game and women’s players are still criminally underpaid both domestically and internationally.

But considering where women’s soccer was three decades ago, the 1991 Women’s World Cup — even as the 1st FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football — is worth celebrating on its 30th anniversary!