defining moments that powered the growth of women’s football

March brings an opportunity to recognise the immense contributions of women across a multitude of fields, as people across the world celebrate International Women’s Month.

Women's football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world right now. From increased investment and participation to equal pay, and even the recent introduction of new awards or tournaments, the rise of the women's game has seen many important developments over recent years.

To mark International Women’s Month, Olympics.com takes a look at some of the era-defining moments in women's football.

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Moments that defined the growth of women's football

1991: Inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup

In the grand scheme of things, the first-ever edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup doesn’t seem all that long ago. Least of all, when you consider the men’s tournament has been contested since 1930. The U.S. reigned supreme in the inaugural women's edition, clinching the first of their four world titles in a particularly dominant decade for the North Americans.

1996: Olympic Games

Some 96 years after the inclusion of men's football at the Olympic Games, women’s teams were invited to participate at Atlanta 1996. It felt fitting that the U.S. was the location of the first Olympic tournament, given the national team’s dominance in international football. In a thrilling final, the USA pipped People’s Republic of China to the gold medal to be crowned the first-ever Olympic champions.

2013 onwards: Professional leagues

The 2010s proved pivotal for women’s football, with fully professional leagues cropping up across the world. From the NWSL in North America to the WSL in the UK, the decade saw a significant period of growth. While work continues to develop these leagues further, these were significant first steps on an ongoing journey.

2018: Ballon d’Or Féminin

The Ballon d’Or is one of the most globally recognised and highly sought-after awards in sport. While some of the greatest names in football history have collected the men's award, it wouldn’t be until 2018 when Norway's Ada Hegerberg was named winner of the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or.

2022: The USWNT’s landmark agreement

‘Equal play, equal pay’ is a slogan that became synonymous with women’s football, particularly in the USA. The U.S. women’s national team, a pillar of the sport’s growth, reached a landmark agreement in 2022 that would see them receive economic benefits equal to the USA's men's team.

2022: Camp Nou welcomes record crowd

In 2022, 91,648 spectators piled into the Camp Nou to watch FC Barcelona take on VfL Wolfsburg in the UEFA Champions League. The number eclipsed the 90,185, which had stood since 1999 when the U.S. and China faced off in the World Cup final.

2022/2025: A run of unforgettable tournaments

Between 2022 and 2025, the world witnessed several tournaments that had a profound impact on the women's game. England's victory at the 2022 Euros was followed a year later by a run to the World Cup final that was ended by champions Spain. That tournament was also important for hosts Australia and New Zealand, who welcomed thousands of fans from across the world, boosting interest in women's football in both nations. Two years later, England successfully defended their title at the 2025 Euros, while the tournament hosted in Switzerland inspired a new generation.

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