Five countries have won the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the first tournament in 1991. The United States are the most successful team with four titles (1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019), followed by Germany with two (2003 and 2007). Norway (1995), Japan (2011) and Spain (2023) have won it once each. Spain are the current champions after beating England 1–0 in the 2023 final in Sydney.
This guide lists every Women’s World Cup winner, runner-up and final score, along with the Golden Ball and Golden Boot winners, title counts by country, the most memorable finals and the key records in the tournament’s history.
Women’s World Cup winners list (1991–2023)
| Year | Host | Winner | Final score | Runner-up | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | China | United States | 2–1 | Norway | Sweden |
| 1995 | Sweden | Norway | 2–0 | Germany | United States |
| 1999 | United States | United States | 0–0 (5–4 pens) | China | Brazil |
| 2003 | United States | Germany | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Sweden | United States |
| 2007 | China | Germany | 2–0 | Brazil | United States |
| 2011 | Germany | Japan | 2–2 (3–1 pens) | United States | Sweden |
| 2015 | Canada | United States | 5–2 | Japan | England |
| 2019 | France | United States | 2–0 | Netherlands | Sweden |
| 2023 | Australia and New Zealand | Spain | 1–0 | England | Sweden |
The next Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil in 2027, the first in South America, with 32 teams and the final at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. Read our full 2027 Women’s World Cup guide for dates, venues and qualified teams.
Women’s World Cup titles by country
| Country | Titles | Years won | Finals reached |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 4 | 1991, 1999, 2015, 2019 | 5 |
| Germany | 2 | 2003, 2007 | 3 |
| Norway | 1 | 1995 | 2 |
| Japan | 1 | 2011 | 2 |
| Spain | 1 | 2023 | 1 |
Other countries have reached the final without winning it: China (1999), Sweden (2003), Brazil (2007), the Netherlands (2019) and England (2023). Sweden have the unusual record of finishing third four times, in 1991, 2011, 2019 and 2023.
Spain are one of only two nations, along with Germany, to have won both the men’s and women’s World Cups, after their men’s team also won in 2010 and 2026. For the men’s champions, see our FIFA World Cup winners list.
Every Women’s World Cup final in detail
1991 China: USA 2–1 Norway
The first FIFA Women’s World Championship, as it was then called, was played in China with 12 teams. The United States beat Norway 2–1 in the final in Guangzhou, with Michelle Akers scoring both goals, the winner coming late in the match. Akers finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, still a record for a single Women’s World Cup.
1995 Sweden: Norway 2–0 Germany
Norway made up for their defeat four years earlier by beating Germany 2–0 in the final in Stockholm. Their captain Hege Riise was named the best player of the tournament. Norway remain the only Scandinavian country to have won the Women’s World Cup.
1999 USA: USA 0–0 China (5–4 on penalties)
The 1999 tournament changed women’s football. A crowd of 90,185 filled the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the final, a record for a women’s sporting event at the time. After a 0–0 draw, the United States won the shootout 5–4, with Brandi Chastain scoring the decisive penalty. China’s Sun Wen won the Golden Ball and shared the Golden Boot. Learn how shootouts work in our penalty shootout rules guide.
2003 USA: Germany 2–1 Sweden (after extra time)
The 2003 tournament was moved from China to the United States at short notice. Germany beat Sweden 2–1 in the final, with Nia Künzer scoring a golden goal header in extra time, the last time a Women’s World Cup final was decided that way. Birgit Prinz won both the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot.
2007 China: Germany 2–0 Brazil
Germany became the first team to retain the Women’s World Cup, and they did it without conceding a single goal in the whole tournament, a unique record. Brazil’s Marta won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot, but goalkeeper Nadine Angerer saved her penalty in the final.
2011 Germany: Japan 2–2 USA (3–1 on penalties)
Japan won their first title in one of the most dramatic finals ever. The United States led twice, but Japan equalised both times, the second through captain Homare Sawa late in extra time. Japan then won the shootout 3–1. The victory came only months after the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011, which made the win especially emotional. Sawa won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot.
2015 Canada: USA 5–2 Japan
In a rematch of the 2011 final, the United States raced into a 4–0 lead inside 16 minutes in Vancouver. Carli Lloyd scored a hat-trick in that spell, including a famous shot from the halfway line. The USA won 5–2 for their third title. The tournament was the first with 24 teams.
2019 France: USA 2–0 Netherlands
The United States retained their title with a 2–0 win over the Netherlands in Lyon, with goals from Megan Rapinoe (a penalty) and Rose Lavelle. Rapinoe won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot, and the USA became the second team after Germany to win back-to-back Women’s World Cups.
2023 Australia and New Zealand: Spain 1–0 England
The first Women’s World Cup with 32 teams ended with Spain beating England 1–0 in Sydney. Olga Carmona scored the only goal in the first half. Aitana Bonmatí was named the best player of the tournament, and Spain won their first world title despite off-field disputes in the build-up.
Golden Ball and Golden Boot winners
| Year | Golden Ball (best player) | Golden Boot (top scorer) | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Carin Jennings (USA) | Michelle Akers (USA) | 10 |
| 1995 | Hege Riise (Norway) | Ann Kristin Aarønes (Norway) | 6 |
| 1999 | Sun Wen (China) | Sun Wen (China) and Sissi (Brazil) | 7 |
| 2003 | Birgit Prinz (Germany) | Birgit Prinz (Germany) | 7 |
| 2007 | Marta (Brazil) | Marta (Brazil) | 7 |
| 2011 | Homare Sawa (Japan) | Homare Sawa (Japan) | 5 |
| 2015 | Carli Lloyd (USA) | Célia Šašić (Germany) | 6 |
| 2019 | Megan Rapinoe (USA) | Megan Rapinoe (USA) | 6 |
| 2023 | Aitana Bonmatí (Spain) | Hinata Miyazawa (Japan) | 5 |
For the men’s equivalents, see our lists of World Cup Golden Ball winners and Golden Boot winners.
Women’s World Cup records
| Record | Holder |
|---|---|
| Most titles | United States, 4 |
| Most finals | United States, 5 |
| All-time top scorer | Marta (Brazil), 17 goals |
| Most goals at one tournament | Michelle Akers (USA), 10 in 1991 |
| Hat-trick in a final | Carli Lloyd (USA), 2015 |
| Fewest goals conceded by a champion | Germany, 0 in 2007 |
| Record final attendance | 90,185 (1999, Rose Bowl) |
| Most third-place finishes | Sweden, 4 |
Marta scored her 17 Women’s World Cup goals across six tournaments from 2003 to 2023, and in 2019 she became the first player, man or woman, to score at five different World Cups. On the men’s side, Kylian Mbappé holds the record with 22 goals; see our World Cup all-time top scorers list for the full men’s ranking.
Biggest wins and other notable results
The Women’s World Cup has produced some huge scorelines, especially in the group stage, where established teams have sometimes faced newcomers:
- USA 13–0 Thailand (2019): the biggest win in Women’s World Cup history. Alex Morgan scored five goals in the match.
- Germany 11–0 Argentina (2007): part of Germany’s record-breaking title run without conceding.
- Japan’s shock win over Germany (2011): Japan knocked out the two-time defending champions and hosts in the quarter-finals with an extra-time goal, one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.
- USA out in the round of 16 (2023): the four-time champions were eliminated by Sweden on penalties, their worst result at a Women’s World Cup.
Only one host nation has won the Women’s World Cup on home soil: the United States in 1999. Germany (2011), Canada (2015), France (2019) and co-hosts Australia (2023) all had strong home support but fell short. Australia’s run to the semi-finals in 2023 was the best result by a host since 1999. For high-scoring games on the men’s side, see our guide to the most goals in a World Cup match.
How the Women’s World Cup has grown
| Tournament | Teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 12 | First FIFA Women’s World Championship; matches lasted 80 minutes |
| 1995 | 12 | First tournament with full 90-minute matches |
| 1999–2011 | 16 | Expanded field; record crowds in 1999 |
| 2015–2019 | 24 | First expansion to 24 teams in Canada |
| 2023 | 32 | First with 32 teams and first co-hosted tournament |
| 2027 | 32 | First in South America (Brazil) |
Prize money has also grown sharply. FIFA’s total prize fund for the 2023 Women’s World Cup was $110 million, and for the first time FIFA set minimum payments to go directly to each player. That is still far below the men’s game; compare the figures in our World Cup prize money guide.
The United States: the most successful team
The United States have dominated the Women’s World Cup more than any team has dominated the men’s tournament. They won the first edition in 1991, reached at least the semi-finals at each of the first eight tournaments, and won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2019.
Their success was built on strong college and youth systems, early investment in the women’s game and a long line of famous players, from Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly to Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. The 1999 win on home soil, watched by huge crowds and television audiences, is often described as a turning point for women’s sport in the country.
The 2023 tournament marked the end of that run. The USA were knocked out in the round of 16 by Sweden on penalties, their earliest exit ever, which opened the door for a new champion.
Germany: the European powerhouse
Germany are the only team other than the USA to win the Women’s World Cup more than once. They lost the 1995 final, then won in 2003 and again in 2007, when they became the first team to retain the trophy and did not concede a single goal. Birgit Prinz, who won the Golden Ball in 2003, scored 14 Women’s World Cup goals over her career, among the highest totals in the tournament’s history.
Spain: the newest champions
Spain’s 2023 win came after a rapid rise. They had only first qualified for the Women’s World Cup in 2015, yet within eight years they were world champions. Their style, based on short passing and possession, mirrored the approach that brought their men’s team success. Spain also won the UEFA Women’s Nations League in 2024, and players such as Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas have won the Ballon d’Or Féminin, confirming Spain as one of the leading nations in women’s football.
Norway and Japan: one-time champions
Norway were one of the early powers of women’s football. They reached the first final in 1991, won the title in 1995 and also won Olympic gold in 2000. Their direct, physical style was hard to play against, and players such as Hege Riise and Ann Kristin Aarønes were among the stars of the 1990s.
Japan became the first Asian team to win the Women’s World Cup in 2011. Their quick, technical passing game surprised bigger and stronger opponents, including hosts Germany in the quarter-finals and the United States in the final. Japan reached the final again in 2015, showing that their success was no one-off.
Most memorable Women’s World Cup moments
- Brandi Chastain’s winning penalty (1999): one of the most famous images in women’s sport, in front of more than 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl.
- Nia Künzer’s golden goal (2003): a header in extra time that won Germany their first title.
- Homare Sawa’s late equaliser (2011): a flick from a corner in the final minutes of extra time that kept Japan alive before their shootout win.
- Carli Lloyd’s halfway-line goal (2015): part of a 16-minute hat-trick in the final.
- Megan Rapinoe’s celebration (2019): her arms-wide pose became one of the defining pictures of the tournament.
- Olga Carmona’s winner (2023): a low left-footed shot that gave Spain their first world title.
Who could win the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
The 2027 tournament in Brazil could produce a sixth different champion, or a repeat winner. Spain will defend their title as one of the favourites, while England, runners-up in 2023 and European champions, will hope to go one better. The United States will be determined to recover from their early exit in 2023, and Germany, France and Sweden are always strong contenders.
Hosts Brazil will have huge home support at venues including the Maracanã, and they will want to give Marta’s generation the title that has escaped them so far. Brazil’s best result remains the 2007 final, when they lost 2–0 to Germany. Full details are in our 2027 Women’s World Cup guide.
Women’s World Cup vs men’s World Cup
| Women’s World Cup | Men’s World Cup | |
|---|---|---|
| First tournament | 1991 (China) | 1930 (Uruguay) |
| Most titles | United States, 4 | Brazil, 5 |
| Different winners | 5 | 8 |
| Current champions | Spain (2023) | Spain (2026) |
| Teams (latest edition) | 32 | 48 |
| All-time top scorer | Marta, 17 | Kylian Mbappé, 22 |
Spain hold both world titles at the same time, a unique achievement: their women won in 2023 and their men in 2026. You can read about the men’s trophy and its history in our guide to the FIFA World Cup trophy.
FAQs about Women’s World Cup winners
Who has won the most Women’s World Cups?
The United States have won the most Women’s World Cups, with four titles: 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019.
Who won the 2023 Women’s World Cup?
Spain won the 2023 Women’s World Cup, beating England 1–0 in the final in Sydney on 20 August 2023. Olga Carmona scored the winning goal.
How many countries have won the Women’s World Cup?
Five countries have won it: the United States (4), Germany (2), Norway (1), Japan (1) and Spain (1).
Who is the top scorer in Women’s World Cup history?
Marta of Brazil is the all-time top scorer with 17 goals, scored across six tournaments between 2003 and 2023.
Has England won the Women’s World Cup?
No. England’s best result is runners-up in 2023, when they lost 1–0 to Spain in the final. They also finished third in 2015.
Who won the 2019 Women’s World Cup?
The United States won the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, beating the Netherlands 2–0 in the final in Lyon with goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle.
Has Brazil ever won the Women’s World Cup?
No. Brazil’s best result is runners-up in 2007, when they lost 2–0 to Germany in the final. They also finished third in 1999. Brazil will host the 2027 tournament.
Where is the next Women’s World Cup?
The next Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil in 2027, the first time the tournament has been played in South America.
Who won the Golden Ball at the 2023 Women’s World Cup?
Aitana Bonmatí of Spain won the Golden Ball as the best player of the 2023 tournament, while Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa won the Golden Boot with five goals.
Which country won the first Women’s World Cup?
The United States won the first Women’s World Cup in China in 1991, beating Norway 2–1 in the final.
