The FIFA Women’s World Cup is a senior women’s international football tournament held every four years, featuring national teams governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The competition, contested by FIFA member nations, has been a quadrennial event since its beginning in 1991. Examining the tournament’s history from 1991 to 2023, the United States Women’s National Team is the most successful, winning four times (1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019).

For the first time the latest edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (2023) marked the first time the tournament had dual host nations, with matches in Australia and New Zealand. This year’s competition is also the first to feature an expanded field of 32 teams, a notable increase from the previous 24-team format.

History

Let’s look at the past winners of FIFA World Cup History from 1991 to 2023.

1991 – USA Takes First Title

Despite common perceptions of the United States enjoying a head start in women’s football, they entered the inaugural Women’s World Cup without winning any of the four international tournaments they had participated in. Norway, who had come out as a top team in a FIFA invitational tournament in China three years earlier, had defeated the Americans twice in their backyard leading up to this historic event.

Michelle Akers, the USA star of that time, confessed, “We hated Norway,” “They were good, they were tough, they were bitchy, and they talked smack.” With Norway’s quality and toughness, they seemed likely to triumph when the two rivals faced off in the 1991 final. However, Akers defied expectations, scoring a decisive brace that secured the title for her high-energy, hard-pressing team and adding the Adidas Golden Boot to her personal collection of honors.

1995: Norway’s Superior Performance

Despite the setback inspired by Akers in 1991, the Norwegians continued to be a persistent challenge for the USA throughout the following decade. Securing the European championship in 1993, they elevated their success by claiming the world title two years later in neighboring Sweden. They edged out the Americans in the semifinals before defeating Germany 2-0 in the final.

Norway extended their dominance by winning the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 2000, beating the US in the final. However, Hege Riise, Norway’s talented talisman and current coach, could quickly choose between these two victories. “Winning the Olympics was wonderful, but the flow of the tournament wasn’t the same,” she conveyed to FIFA in 2016. “1995 was the best moment of my career without any doubt.”

1999 – USA Spot-on Against China

In nearly every Women’s World Cup held, the host teams have typically bowed out in the quarterfinals or semifinals. However, USA ’99 was an exception, standing out in numerous aspects.

The tournament, featuring the renowned ’99ers’ from the United States, is still remembered for marking a significant breakthrough in the evolution of the competition and women’s soccer overall. Their matches unfolded in front of massive, packed stadiums, amassing a total attendance of 1.194 million, a record that stood until 2015.

While Sun Wen’s China PR and Sissi’s Brazil showcased dazzling performances on the field, the US, led by the beloved Mia Hamm, claimed the title. Their victory came in a dramatic final penalty shootout against China, complete with Brandi Chastain’s iconic celebration.

2003 – Germany’s Golden Girls

When the USA stepped into the role of tournament host four years later due to a SARS outbreak prompting a relocation from China, the prevailing expectation was that the hosts would once again dominate.

However, the ever-improving German team had different plans, marking the onset of their golden era by outclassing and overpowering the Americans in a 3-0 semifinal victory. The European champions, who had previously dismantled Russia 7-1 in the quarterfinals, then secured the title by narrowly defeating Sweden, with Nia Kunzer scoring a legendary 98th-minute golden goal.

Birgit Prinz and her teammates concluded the tournament with an impressive tally of 25 goals, averaging 4.16 goals per match, a record that equaled the USA’s achievement from 1991 and remains unmatched.

2007 – Back-To-Back Germany Victory

While high-scoring performances defined their 2003 victory, Germany’s success in China four years later was attributed to the tightest defense in the tournament’s history.

With the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and a resilient, well-organized backline, Silvia Neid’s team successfully navigated challenges from teams like Japan, Norway, and their final opponents, Brazil—fresh from a Marta-inspired demolition of the US—without conceding a single goal. This remarkable achievement of keeping a clean sheet throughout the tournament is unparalleled in the men’s and women’s World Cup history.

2011 – Japan Shock the World

Despite being heavy favorites to secure a third successive crown with the advantage of playing on home ground, Germany, much like the USA in 2003, ended up in the shadow of first-time champions.

Japan got the title in the 2011 Women’s World Cup, scoring the fewest goals (12) and conceding the most (6) in the tournament’s history. However, these statistics need to capture the essence of their hard-earned triumph, which featured plenty of skillful football and touched the hearts of many. The victory came just a few months after a tsunami devastated the country.

2015: Lloyd’s Spectacular Goal Shines Bright in the Final

The inaugural 24-team edition is best remembered for hosting the highest-scoring final in Women’s World Cup history, a resounding victory for the resurgent United States, highlighted by a historic hat-trick from Carli Lloyd.

What’s often forgotten is that the Americans’ journey was a gradual build-up; they scored only four times in their three group-stage matches, with a goalless draw against Sweden prompting murmurs of criticism directed at coach Jill Ellis. However, Lloyd and her teammates steadily improved throughout the knockout rounds, culminating in a standout performance where they crushed Japan 5-2 in the final—the most lopsided scoreline ever recorded in a Women’s World Cup final.

2019: USA’s Four-Midable Performance Leaves Dutch in the Dust

Once again, Jill Ellis and the core of the 2015 squad were there as the United States achieved the remarkable feat of becoming only the second team, following Germany (2003, 2007), to defend the crown successfully.

In contrast to their gradual start in the previous Canadian campaign, this time around was anything but slow, with the team scoring an impressive 13 goals in their opening match, setting the stage for a tournament-record total of 26 goals. The knockout stage witnessed the dominant American team sweeping aside Europe’s top sides, with Spain, hosts France, England, and the reigning continental champions Netherlands all unable to impede the relentless progress of the unstoppable American juggernaut.

2023 – Spain Adds Their Name to the List

Spain secured their place in history as the fifth nation to claim the Women’s World Cup with a well-deserved 1-0 triumph over England at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

La Roja overcame a setback in the form of a 4-0 group-stage defeat to Japan and emerged as the tournament’s highest scorers with 18 goals, ultimately ascending to the top of the podium. Coach Jorge Vilda’s team navigated through a challenging knockout stage, defeating four European opponents consecutively. This remarkable journey included a 5-1 victory over Switzerland, followed by narrow triumphs against the Netherlands, Sweden, and England.

Fifa Women’s World Cup Winners List

Here’s the FIFA Women’s World Cup winners list:

FAQs 

Which team holds the most FIFA Women’s World Cup victories?

The United States is the most successful team in Women’s World Cup history, with four titles.

Which countries have won the FIFA Women’s World Cup?

The United States, Germany, Japan, Norway, and Spain have all claimed victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Who is the current champion of the Women’s World Cup?

The most recent Women’s World Cup occurred in 2023, and Spain won as a new champion.

Where was the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup held?

The 9th and most recent edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup was hosted in Australia and New Zealand. Notably, this tournament featured an expanded format of 32 teams, up from the previous 24.

How many times has the United States won the Women’s World Cup?

The United States has won the FIFA World Cup title four times, making it the most prosperous country in the tournament’s history. Germany follows with two titles, while Japan and Norway have one title.