A total of over 1,000 goals have been scored in games at the Women's 9 final tournaments of the FIFA Women's World Cup, not counting penalties scored during shoot-outs. Since the first goal scored by Chinese player Ma Li at the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup, almost 440 footballers have scored goals at the World Cup tournaments, of whom 50 have scored five or more. [1]
The top 50 goalscorers have represented 12 nations, with 11 players scoring for Germany, and another 10 for United States. In total, 27 footballers came from UEFA (Europe), 11 from CONCACAF (North America), 7 from AFC (Asia) and 5 from CONMEBOL (South America).
Michelle Akers holds the record for the most goals scored in a single tournament, with 10 goals in 1991. The players that came closest were Sissi and Sun Wen in 1999, Birgit Prinz in 2003 and Marta in 2007, with 7 goals. The lowest scoring top scorers was Homare Sawa in 2011 and Hinata Miyazawa in 2023, with five goals. Across the 9 tournaments of the World Cup, 13 footballers have been credited with the most tournament goals, and no one has achieved this feat twice. These 13 top goalscorers played for 7 nations, the most (four) for United States. Another two came from Brazil, Germany and Japan. [2]
♦ | Denotes national top scorers (or joint top scorers) at the World Cup |
---|---|
# | Denotes players still active at international level |
( ) | Denotes tournaments where the player played in a match, but did not score a goal |
† | Denotes tournaments where the player's team won the World Cup |
Rank | Player | Team | Goals scored | Matches played | Goals per match | Tournaments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marta ♦# | Brazil | 17 | 23 | 0.74 | 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, (2023) | list |
2 | Birgit Prinz ♦ | Germany | 14 | 24 | 0.58 | 1995, 1999, 2003†, 2007†, (2011) | |
Abby Wambach ♦ | United States | 14 | 25 | 0.56 | 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015† | list | |
4 | Michelle Akers | United States | 12 | 13 | 0.92 | 1991†, (1995), 1999† | |
5 | Sun Wen ♦ | China | 11 | 20 | 0.55 | 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 | |
Cristiane # | Brazil | 11 | 21 | 0.52 | (2003), 2007, 2011, (2015), 2019 | list | |
Bettina Wiegmann | Germany | 11 | 22 | 0.50 | 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003† | ||
9 | Ann Kristin Aarønes ♦ | Norway | 10 | 11 | 0.91 | 1995†, 1999 | |
Heidi Mohr | Germany | 10 | 12 | 0.83 | 1991, 1995 | ||
Christine Sinclair # | Canada | 10 | 24 | 0.42 | 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, (2023) | list | |
Carli Lloyd | United States | 10 | 25 | 0.40 | (2007), 2011, 2015†, 2019† | ||
12 | Linda Medalen | Norway | 9 | 17 | 0.53 | 1991, 1995†, 1999 | |
Megan Rapinoe # | United States | 9 | 20 | 0.45 | 2011, 2015†, 2019†, (2023) | ||
Alex Morgan # | United States | 9 | 22 | 0.41 | 2011, 2015†, 2019†, (2023) | list | |
Hege Riise | Norway | 9 | 22 | 0.41 | 1991, 1995†, 1999, (2003) | ||
16 | Célia Šašić | Germany | 8 | 11 | 0.73 | 2011, 2015 | |
Marianne Pettersen | Norway | 8 | 15 | 0.53 | 1995†, 1999, 2003 | ||
Kerstin Garefrekes | Germany | 8 | 16 | 0.50 | 2003†, 2007†, 2011 | ||
Liu Ailing | China | 8 | 16 | 0.50 | 1991, 1995, 1999 | ||
Eugénie Le Sommer ♦# | France | 8 | 20 | 0.40 | (2011), 2015, 2019, 2023 | ||
Mia Hamm | United States | 8 | 23 | 0.35 | 1991†, 1995, 1999†, 2003 | ||
Homare Sawa ♦ | Japan | 8 | 24 | 0.33 | (1995), (1999), 2003, (2007), 2011†, (2015) | ||
Kristine Lilly | United States | 8 | 30 | 0.27 | (1991)†, 1995, 1999†, 2003, 2007 |
Key | |
---|---|
Goal set a new record | |
Goal equalled the existing record |
Goals | Date | Player | Team | Goal | Opponent | Score | Tournament & Stage | Previous goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 November 1991 | Ma Li | China | 1–0 | Norway | 4–0 | 1991, China Group stage | N/A |
16 November 1991 | Liu Ailing | China | 2–0 | Norway | 4–0 | 1991, China Group stage | N/A | |
2 | 16 November 1991 | China | 3–0 | Norway | 4–0 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Norway | |
17 November 1991 | Heidi Mohr | Germany | 3–0 | Nigeria | 4–0 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Nigeria | |
17 November 1991 | Helle Jensen | Denmark | 2–0 | New Zealand | 3–0 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs New Zealand | |
17 November 1991 | Carin Jennings | United States | 2–0 | Sweden | 3–2 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Sweden | |
17 November 1991 | Carolina Morace | Italy | 4–0 | Chinese Taipei | 5–0 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Chinese Taipei | |
3 | 17 November 1991 | Italy | 5–0 | Chinese Taipei | 5–0 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Chinese Taipei (2) | |
4 | 19 November 1991 | Italy | 1–0 | Nigeria | 1–0 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Chinese Taipei (3) | |
19 November 1991 | Heidi Mohr | Germany | 3–0 | Chinese Taipei | 3–0 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Nigeria (2), Chinese Taipei | |
21 November 1991 | Liu Ailing | China | 4–0 | New Zealand | 4–1 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Norway (2), New Zealand | |
5 | 21 November 1991 | Heidi Mohr | Germany | 1–0 | Italy | 2–0 | 1991, China Group stage | 1991 vs Nigeria (2), Chinese Taipei (2) |
6 | 24 November 1991 | Germany | 2–1 | Denmark | 2–1 | 1991, China Quarter-final | 1991 vs Nigeria (2), Chinese Taipei (2), Italy | |
24 November 1991 | Michelle Akers-Stahl | United States | 3–0 | Chinese Taipei | 7–0 | 1991, China Quarter-final | 1991 vs Brazil, Japan (2), Chinese Taipei (2) | |
7 | 24 November 1991 | United States | 5–0 | Chinese Taipei | 7–0 | 1991, China Quarter-final | 1991 vs Brazil, Japan (2), Chinese Taipei (3) | |
8 | 24 November 1991 | United States | 6–0 | Chinese Taipei | 7–0 | 1991, China Quarter-final | 1991 vs Brazil, Japan (2), Chinese Taipei (4) | |
9 | 30 November 1991 | United States | 1–0 | Norway | 2–1 | 1991, China Final | 1991 vs Brazil, Japan (2), Chinese Taipei (5) | |
10 | 30 November 1991 | United States | 2–1 | Norway | 2–1 | 1991, China Final | 1991 vs Brazil, Japan (2), Chinese Taipei (5), Norway | |
13 June 1995 | Heidi Mohr | Germany | 3–0 | England | 3–0 | 1995, Sweden Quarter-final | ||
11 | 24 June 1999 | Michelle Akers | United States | 5–1 | Nigeria | 7–1 | 1999, United States Group stage | 1991 vs Brazil, Japan (2), Chinese Taipei (5), Norway (2) |
12 | 4 July 1999 | United States | 2–0 | Brazil | 2–0 | 1999, United States Semi-final | ||
10 September 2007 | Birgit Prinz | Germany | 8–0 | Argentina | 11–0 | 2007, China Group stage | ||
13 | 17 September 2007 | Germany | 1–0 | Japan | 2–0 | 2007, China Group stage | ||
14 | 30 September 2007 | Germany | 1–0 | Brazil | 2–0 | 2007, China Final | ||
10 July 2011 | Marta | Brazil | 2–1 | United States | 2–2 (a.e.t.) | 2011, Germany Quarter-final | ||
15 | 9 June 2015 | Brazil | 2–0 | South Korea | 2–0 | 2015, Canada Group stage | ||
16 | 13 June 2019 | Brazil | 1–0 | Australia | 2–3 | 2019, France Group stage | ||
17 | 18 June 2019 | Brazil | 1–0 | Italy | 1–0 | 2019, France Group stage |
World Cup | Player | Team | Goals scored | Matches played | Golden Boot | Other FIFA Awards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
China 1991 | Michelle Akers-Stahl | United States | 10 | 6 | Silver Ball | |
Sweden 1995 | Ann Kristin Aarønes | Norway | 6 | 6 | Bronze Ball | |
United States 1999 | Sissi | Brazil | 7 | 6 | Silver Ball | |
Sun Wen | China | 6 | Golden Ball | |||
United States 2003 | Birgit Prinz | Germany | 7 | 6 | Golden Ball | |
China 2007 | Marta | Brazil | 7 | 6 | Golden Ball | |
Germany 2011 | Homare Sawa | Japan | 5 | 6 | Golden Ball | |
Canada 2015 | Célia Šašić | Germany | 6 | 7 | ||
Carli Lloyd | United States | 7 | Silver Boot, Golden Ball | |||
France 2019 | Megan Rapinoe | United States | 6 | 6 | Golden Ball | |
Alex Morgan | United States | 6 | Silver Boot | |||
Ellen White | England | 6 | Bronze Boot | |||
Australia/New Zealand 2023 | Hinata Miyazawa | Japan | 5 | 5 |
Rank | Player | Team | Tournaments with goals | Goals scored | Matches played | Goals per match | Tournaments with goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marta | Brazil | 5 | 17 | 23 | 0.74 | 2003, 2007 2011, 2015, 2019 |
Christine Sinclair | Canada | 5 | 10 | 24 | 0.42 | 2003, 2007 2011, 2015, 2019 | |
2 | Birgit Prinz | Germany | 4 | 14 | 24 | 0.58 | 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 |
Abby Wambach | United States | 4 | 14 | 25 | 0.56 | 2003, 2007 2011, 2015 | |
Sun Wen | China | 4 | 11 | 20 | 0.55 | 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 | |
Bettina Wiegmann | Germany | 4 | 11 | 22 | 0.50 | 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 | |
Mia Hamm | United States | 4 | 8 | 23 | 0.35 | 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 | |
Kristine Lilly | United States | 4 | 8 | 30 | 0.27 | 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 | |
Julie Foudy | United States | 4 | 4 | 24 | 0.17 | 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 | |
3 | Linda Medalen | Norway | 3 | 9 | 17 | 0.53 | 1991, 1995, 1999 |
Marianne Pettersen | Norway | 3 | 8 | 15 | 0.53 | 1995, 1999, 2003 | |
Cristiane | Brazil | 3 | 11 | 21 | 0.52 | 2007, 2011, 2019 | |
Kerstin Garefrekes | Germany | 3 | 8 | 16 | 0.50 | 2003, 2007, 2011 | |
Liu Ailing | China | 3 | 8 | 16 | 0.50 | 1991, 1995, 1999 | |
Lisa De Vanna | Australia | 3 | 7 | 15 | 0.47 | 2007, 2011, 2015 | |
Victoria Sandell Svensson | Sweden | 3 | 6 | 13 | 0.46 | 1999, 2003, 2007 | |
Megan Rapinoe | United States | 3 | 9 | 20 | 0.45 | 2011, 2015, 2019 | |
Alex Morgan | United States | 3 | 9 | 22 | 0.41 | 2011, 2015, 2019 | |
Hege Riise | Norway | 3 | 9 | 22 | 0.41 | 1991, 1995, 1999 | |
Isabell Herlovsen | Norway | 3 | 6 | 15 | 0.40 | 2007, 2015, 2019 | |
Eugénie Le Sommer | France | 3 | 8 | 20 | 0.40 | 2015, 2019, 2023 | |
Carli Lloyd | United States | 3 | 10 | 25 | 0.40 | 2011, 2015, 2019 | |
Tiffeny Milbrett | United States | 3 | 7 | 18 | 0.39 | 1995, 1999, 2003 | |
Alexandra Popp | Germany | 3 | 7 | 18 | 0.39 | 2015, 2019, 2023 | |
Fara Williams | England | 3 | 5 | 13 | 0.38 | 2007, 2011, 2015 | |
Pretinha | Brazil | 3 | 5 | 14 | 0.36 | 1995, 1999, 2007 | |
Aya Miyama | Japan | 3 | 6 | 17 | 0.35 | 2007, 2011, 2015 | |
Asisat Oshoala | Nigeria | 3 | 3 | 10 | 0.30 | 2015, 2019, 2023 | |
Hannah Wilkinson | New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 11 | 0.27 | 2011, 2015, 2023 | |
Lieke Martens | Netherlands | 3 | 4 | 16 | 0.25 | 2015, 2019, 2023 | |
Yūki Nagasato | Japan | 3 | 4 | 16 | 0.25 | 2007, 2011, 2015 | |
Solveig Gulbrandsen | Norway | 3 | 4 | 19 | 0.21 | 1999, 2003, 2015 | |
Simone Laudehr | Germany | 3 | 3 | 15 | 0.20 | 2007, 2011, 2015 | |
Jill Scott | England | 3 | 4 | 21 | 0.19 | 2007, 2011, 2019 | |
Joy Fawcett | United States | 3 | 3 | 23 | 0.13 | 1991, 1995, 1999 |
Gerhard "Gerd" Müller was a German professional footballer. A prolific striker, especially in and around the six-yard box, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers and players in the history of the sport. With success at club and international level, he is one of nine players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association 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 and one year after the men's FIFA World Cup since 1991, when the inaugural tournament, then called the FIFA Women's World Championship, was held in China. Under the tournament's current format, national teams vie for the remaining 31 slots in a three-year qualification phase. The host nation's team is automatically entered as the first slot. The tournament, called the World Cup Finals, is contested at venues within the host nation(s) over about one month.
Birgit Prinz is a German former 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. In 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 Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
The Spain national football team has represented Spain in men's international football competitions since 1920. It is governed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.
Mario Alberto Kempes Chiodi is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a striker or attacking midfielder. A prolific goalscorer, he finished as La Liga's top goalscorer twice with Valencia where he amassed 116 goals in 184 league games. He is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
Davor Šuker is a Croatian football administrator and former professional player who played as a striker. He served as the president of the Croatian Football Federation from 2012 to 2021. As Croatia's all-time top scorer with 45 goals, Šuker is generally regarded as the greatest Croatian striker of all time, and as one of the greatest strikers of all time.
Just Louis Fontaine was a French professional footballer who played as a striker. He scored the most goals ever in a single edition of the FIFA World Cup, with thirteen in six matches in the 1958 FIFA World Cup tournament. In March 2004, Pelé named him one of his 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a FIFA Awards Ceremony.
The Germany women's national football team represents Germany in international women's football. The team is governed by the German Football Association (DFB).
The FIFA U-20 World Cup is the biennial football world championship tournament for FIFA members’ men's national teams with players under the age of 20. The competition has been staged every two years since the inaugural tournament in 1977 when it was hosted by Tunisia under the tournament name of FIFA World Youth Championship until 2005. In 2007 the name was changed to its present form. FIFA bills the men's Under-20 World Cup as "the tournament of tomorrow's superstars." Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba are previous winners of the official player of the tournament award, and Erling Haaland was the top scorer at the 2019 edition. The current title holder is Uruguay, which won its first title at the 2023 tournament in Argentina.
Asamoah Gyan is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is a former captain of the Ghana national team.
Football is the most popular sport in Germany with 57% of the population declaring interest in watching it. The German Football Association is the sport's national governing body, with 6.6 million members organized in over 31,000 football clubs. There is a league system, with the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga and 3. Liga on top. The winner of the Bundesliga is crowned the German football champion. Additionally, there are national cup competitions, most notably the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup.
Inka Grings is a German former international footballer who played as a striker. She played sixteen years for FCR 2001 Duisburg before joining FC Zürich Frauen. She also played for the Germany national team. Grings is the second all-time leading goalscorer in Germany's top division, the Frauen-Bundesliga, with 195 goals and claimed the league's top-scorer award for a record six seasons. Playing for Germany, she was the top-scorer at two UEFA European Championships. Grings was named Women's Footballer of the Year (Germany) in 1999, 2009 and 2010.
Wilmer Raynel Neal Velásquez is a retired Honduran footballer who played as a forward. He was regarded as one of the greatest footballers in Honduran soccer for Olimpia, and by foremost as the nation's greatest striker ever alongside Carlos Pavón.
Mohamed Mohamed Mohamed Aboutrika is an Egyptian retired professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder and a forward. He was voted second place in the African Footballer of the Year award in 2008, and was one of five nominees for the 2006 award, and one of the ten nominated for the 2013 award. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time.
Ahmed Faras is a Moroccan former professional footballer who played as a striker for Chabab Mohammédia at club level and Morocco internationally.
Alexandra Popp-Höppe is a German professional footballer who plays as a striker for Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg and the Germany national team. Popp was named German Footballer of the Year twice, in 2014 and 2016, and in February 2019 was named captain of the national team.
The Germany national football team has represented Germany in men's international football since 1908. The team is governed by the German Football Association, founded in 1900. Ever since the DFB was reinaugurated in 1949 the team has represented the Federal Republic of Germany. Under Allied occupation and division, two other separate national teams were also recognised by FIFA: the Saarland team representing the Saarland (1950–1956) and the East German team representing the German Democratic Republic (1952–1990). Both have been absorbed along with their records by the current national team. The official name and code "Germany FR (FRG)" was shortened to "Germany (GER)" following the reunification in 1990.
At the end of each FIFA Women's World Cup final tournament, several awards are presented to the players and teams which have distinguished themselves in various aspects of the game.
This is a list of the records of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Barbra Banda is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and captains the Zambia national team.