The FIFA World Cup, often simply called the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not held because of the Second World War. The current champion is France, which won its second title at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's international governing body. The competition has been held every four years since 1991, when the inaugural tournament, then called the FIFA Women's World Championship, was held in China.
Michelle Anne Akers is a former American soccer player, who starred in the historic 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup victories by the United States. She won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the 1991 tournament.
Birgit Prinz is a German retired footballer, two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion and three-time FIFA World Player of the Year. In addition to the German national team, Prinz played for 1. FFC Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga as well as the Carolina Courage in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first professional women's league in the United States. Prinz remains one of the game's most prolific strikers and is the second FIFA Women's World Cup all-time leading scorer with 14 goals. On 12 August 2011, she announced the end of her active career. She currently works as a sport psychologist for the men's and women's teams of 1. Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
The Brazil women's national football team played their first game on 22 July 1986 against the United States, losing 2–1.
Inka Grings is a retired German international footballer. She played sixteen years as a striker for FCR 2001 Duisburg. Afterwards she played for FC Zürich Frauen. She also played for the German national team. Grings is the second all-time leading goalscorer in Germany's top division, the Fußball-Bundesliga (women), with 195 goals and claimed the league's top-scorer award for a record six seasons. Playing for Germany, she has also been the top-scorer at two UEFA European Championships. Grings was named German Female Footballer of the Year in 1999, 2009 and 2010.
The Mexico women's national football team is governed by La Federación Mexicana de Fútbol.
The Spain women's national football team represents Spain in international women's football since 1980, and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.
Paola Zanni is an Italian footballer who played as a defender for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Luisa Marchio is an Italian footballer who played as a defender for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Daniela Tavalazzi is an Italian footballer who played as a defender for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the UEFA Women's Euro 1997 and 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Manuela Tesse is an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the UEFA Women's Euro 1997, 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro 2001.
Antonella Carta is an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the UEFA Women's Euro 1997 and 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup where she was the team captain.
Fabiana Comin is an Italian football coach and former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro 2001.
Anna Duo is an Italian footballer who played as a defender for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro 2001.
Adele Frollani is an Italian footballer who played as a defender for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro 2001.
Silvia Tagliacarne is an Italian footballer who played as a forward for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro 2001.
Silvia Fiorini is an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro 1997 and 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Alessandra Pallotti is an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Roberta Stefanelli is an Italian footballer who played as a defender for the Italy women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
