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.
Kristine Marie Lilly Heavey is an American retired soccer player. She was a member of the United States women's national team for 23 years and is the most-capped football player in the history of the sport, gaining her 354th and final cap against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier in November 2010. Lilly scored 130 goals for the US national team, behind Mia Hamm's 158 goals, and Abby Wambach's 184.
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.
Pu Wei is Chinese former footballer who played as a midfielder. A veteran of three FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments and three Olympics, Pu Wei competed in USA 1999, USA 2003, China 2007, Sydney 2000 Olympics, Athens 2004 Olympics, and Beijing 2008; as China did not qualify for Germany 2011 World Cup and London 2012 Olympics. Until 2013, Pu was the captain of China women's national football team. She retired after a friendly with North Korea on 15 February 2014.
Kerstin Stegemann is a German former footballer who played as a defender or midfielder.
Ria Dawn Percival is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Women's Super League club Tottenham Hotspur. Born in England, she plays for the New Zealand women's national team. She previously played for FFC Frankfurt and FF USV Jena of the Bundesliga, FC Basel in the Swiss league and West Ham United.
Annalie Antonia Longo is an association football player who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women and represents New Zealand at international level. She has played for Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory in the Australian W-League. From her time in the W-League with Melbourne Victory, Longo is dubbed the Kiwi Messi by the fans for her ability on the ball and goalscoring prowess.
Valeria Tamara Cotelo is an Argentine women's international footballer who plays as a defender. She is a member of the Argentina women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Boca Juniors in Argentina.
Natalia Gatti is an Argentine women's international footballer who plays as a forward. She is a member of the Argentina women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she played for Boca Juniors in Argentina, and currently she's playing for KAC.
Gladys Enti is a Ghanaian women's international footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. She is a member of the Ghana women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Ghatel Ladies in Ghana.
Aminatu Ibrahim is a Ghanaian women's international footballer who plays as a defender. She is a member of the Ghana women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Ghatel Ladies in Ghana.
Mavis Danso is a Ghanaian women's international footballer who plays as a defender. She is a member of the Ghana women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Robert Morris College in the United States.
Florence Okoe is a Ghanaian women's international footballer who plays as a midfielder. She is a member of the Ghana women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Ghatel Ladies in Ghana.
Sheila Okai is a Ghanaian women's international footballer who plays as a midfielder and forward. She is a member of the Ghana women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Ghatel Ladies in Ghana.
Gloria Adwoa Foriwa is a Ghanaian footballer who played as a forward for the Ghana women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she played for Ghatel Ladies in Ghana.
Yaa Avoe is a Ghanaian women's international footballer who plays as a defender. She is a member of the Ghana women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Ash Town Ladies in Ghana.
Lydia Ankrah is a Ghanaian women's international footballer who plays as a defender. She is a member of the Ghana women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Post Ladies in Ghana.
Memunatu Sulemana is a Ghanaian former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. She has been a member of the Ghana women's national team.
Xie Caixia is a Chinese women's international footballer who plays as a midfielder. She is a member of the China women's national football team. She was part of the team at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. On club level she plays for Guangdong Xiongying in China.
Diana Esther Nwaiwu is a Nigerian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for the Nigeria women's national football team. She was part of the team at the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup as well as the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup. At the club level, she played for Kakanfo Babes in Nigeria.
