A pioneering women’s World Cup erased from history

It may surprise many football fans to learn that the first-ever Women’s World Cup took place in 1970 in Italy. However, despite this groundbreaking event, it has largely been erased from the history books.

The tournament, organized by the Italian Women’s Football Association, saw teams from around the world compete for the coveted title. The final match between Italy and England drew a record-breaking crowd of 40,000 spectators, showcasing the growing popularity of women’s football.

Despite the success of the tournament, the Women’s World Cup was not officially recognized by FIFA at the time. It wasn’t until 1991 that FIFA organized the first official Women’s World Cup in China, nearly two decades after the pioneering event in Italy.

Unfortunately, the lack of recognition and documentation of the 1970 Women’s World Cup means that many fans are unaware of this historic moment in women’s football. It is important to remember and celebrate the trailblazing women who paved the way for the thriving women’s game we see today.

As we look forward to future Women’s World Cups, let’s not forget the pioneers who made it all possible.