Carin Jennings
USA stormed to victory at the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup China PR 1991, armed with a formidable attacking trio.
A forward line of Michelle Akers, April Heinrichs and Carin Jennings – dubbed the ‘triple-edged sword’ by the Chinese media – ran riot as USA won the first-ever world championship for women's football.
Though it is Golden Boot winner Akers who is perhaps best remembered for netting a brace in the 1991 final against Norway, it was Carin Jennings who won the Golden Ball for her stand-out performances throughout the tournament.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, Jennings shares her memories of playing at the very first global finals, what it meant to win the inaugural title and the significance of being part of one of the most iconic teams in Women’s World Cup history.
USA stormed to victory at the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup China PR 1991, armed with a formidable attacking trio.
A forward line of Michelle Akers, April Heinrichs and Carin Jennings – dubbed the ‘triple-edged sword’ by the Chinese media – ran riot as USA won the first-ever world championship for women's football.
Though it is Golden Boot winner Akers who is perhaps best remembered for netting a brace in the 1991 final against Norway, it was Carin Jennings who won the Golden Ball for her stand-out performances throughout the tournament.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, Jennings shares her memories of playing at the very first global finals, what it meant to win the inaugural title and the significance of being part of one of the most iconic teams in Women’s World Cup history.
What I remember most is the friendship of the players on the team. We all played for the love of the game and for our team-mates.
Hege Riise
She suffered the agony of losing in the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in 1991, but four years later Hege Riise was celebrating in Sweden.
Norway’s gifted midfielder opened the scoring against Germany in the 1995 final before Marianne Pettersen ensured a two-goal victory for the Norwegians in Stockholm.
The tournament’s star player, Riise also took home the Golden Ball as well as lifting the much-coveted trophy. "That '95 World Cup was my best experience, and the Golden Ball is something I’m still really so proud of," said Riise.
In an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, the Norway legend takes us back to 1995 when Norway ruled the world, as well as giving a priceless insight into being a player at the early editions of the Women’s World Cup.
She suffered the agony of losing in the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in 1991, but four years later Hege Riise was celebrating in Sweden.
Norway’s gifted midfielder opened the scoring against Germany in the 1995 final before Marianne Pettersen ensured a two-goal victory for the Norwegians in Stockholm.
The tournament’s star player, Riise also took home the Golden Ball as well as lifting the much-coveted trophy. "That '95 World Cup was my best experience, and the Golden Ball is something I’m still really so proud of," said Riise.
In an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, the Norway legend takes us back to 1995 when Norway ruled the world, as well as giving a priceless insight into being a player at the early editions of the Women’s World Cup.
We always felt having a World Cup would be a big step for women’s football, and that’s the way it has proved.
Brandi Chastain
Is it the FIFA Women’s World Cup’s most iconic celebration?
The image of Brandi Chastain on her knees, shirt removed, body flexed, eyes closed in jubilation is one that will not just live forever in USA’s football history, but one that has proven its timelessness in the cultural eye.
The ecstasy is understandable: she had, after all, scored the penalty in front of 90,185 fans to win the Women’s World Cup Final shoot-out.
Hear from 1999’s heroine herself as Chastain sat down with FIFA.com for an exclusive interview to reminisce about that sunny Californian afternoon at a rammed Rose Bowl where USA claimed a second world title.
Is it the FIFA Women’s World Cup’s most iconic celebration?
The image of Brandi Chastain on her knees, shirt removed, body flexed, eyes closed in jubilation is one that will not just live forever in USA’s football history, but one that has proven its timelessness in the cultural eye.
The ecstasy is understandable: she had, after all, scored the penalty in front of 90,185 fans to win the Women’s World Cup Final shoot-out.
Hear from 1999’s heroine herself as Chastain sat down with FIFA.com for an exclusive interview to reminisce about that sunny Californian afternoon at a rammed Rose Bowl where USA claimed a second world title.
I’m sure most people don’t know we never got to really warm up on the field. Norway and Brazil were playing before us and they also went to penalty kicks, so we basically did our warm-up in the dark underbelly of the Rose Bowl.
Nia Kunzer
The 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup witnessed a power shift where a new champion was crowned.
After a dominating semi-final win over USA, Germany went on to beat Sweden in the 2003 decider to claim their first title – the only Women’s World Cup finale to be decided on a Golden Goal.
The scorer? Substitute Nia Kunzer. “At first I was confused and had absolutely no idea what had happened,” she recalled. “I really didn’t realise what I’d done at first because my header really wasn’t that strong.
“Then after two or three seconds I felt the first of our players grab me around the neck and I realised we were world champions.”
Kunzer discusses what it meant to bag the winning goal, as well as how women's football has changed markedly since she hung up her boots.
The 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup witnessed a power shift where a new champion was crowned.
After a dominating semi-final win over USA, Germany went on to beat Sweden in the 2003 decider to claim their first title – the only Women’s World Cup finale to be decided on a Golden Goal.
The scorer? Substitute Nia Kunzer. “At first I was confused and had absolutely no idea what had happened,” she recalled. “I really didn’t realise what I’d done at first because my header really wasn’t that strong.
“Then after two or three seconds I felt the first of our players grab me around the neck and I realised we were world champions.”
Kunzer discusses what it meant to bag the winning goal, as well as how women's football has changed markedly since she hung up her boots.
The fact that it has lingered in people’s memories is something very special for me and shows just how important the World Cup can be.
Nadine Angerer
The first team to retain the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy, Germany claimed the coveted prize for a second successive time with victory over Marta’s Brazil in China PR.
One of the focal figures behind Germany’s success in 2007 was goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who went the whole tournament between the sticks without conceding a goal.
Of the many memorable moments of China 2007, and indeed in the history of the Women’s World Cup, Angerer’s crucial save against eventual Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner Marta stands tall.
With her side leading by a goal, Angerer denied the Brazilian hot-shot from the spot as Germany went on to win the final 2-0.
As well as looking back on that famous penalty-save, Angerer explains to FIFA.com the personal significance of 2007: her first World Cup as Germany’s No1 stopper.
The first team to retain the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy, Germany claimed the coveted prize for a second successive time with victory over Marta’s Brazil in China PR.
One of the focal figures behind Germany’s success in 2007 was goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who went the whole tournament between the sticks without conceding a goal.
Of the many memorable moments of China 2007, and indeed in the history of the Women’s World Cup, Angerer’s crucial save against eventual Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner Marta stands tall.
As well as looking back on that famous penalty-save, Angerer explains to FIFA.com the personal significance of 2007: her first World Cup as Germany’s No1 stopper.
Before China 2007, I was very vocal about wanting to be Germany’s No1 – and then suddenly I reached a point where I had to prove I deserved it. That’s why every single match was very emotional for me.
Homare Sawa
Homare Sawa never imagined winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011 before the tournament began. On 17 July 2011, however, she became the first Nadeshiko captain to lift the trophy after an epic encounter in Frankfurt against USA was settled on penalties.
The title was significant for Japan, not just because it was their first global success, but it offered some respite on the back of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami which devastated the country earlier that year.
A new set of heroines were lauded in the land of the rising sun and across the world.
One of the first to speak to Sawa after Japan’s maiden Women’s World Cup victory in 2011 was FIFA.com. In the exclusive chat, Japan’s talismanic captain explains what made Japan’s class of 2011 so special, what it meant to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball and who the victory was dedicated to.
Homare Sawa never imagined winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011 before the tournament began. On 17 July 2011, however, she became the first Nadeshiko captain to lift the trophy after an epic encounter in Frankfurt against USA was settled on penalties.
The title was significant for Japan, not just because it was their first global success, but it offered some respite on the back of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami which devastated the country earlier that year.
A new set of heroines were lauded in the land of the rising sun and across the world.
One of the first to speak to Sawa after Japan’s maiden Women’s World Cup victory in 2011 was FIFA.com. In the exclusive chat, Japan’s talismanic captain explains what made Japan’s class of 2011 so special, what it meant to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball and who the victory was dedicated to.
We came to Germany for a medal but I could never have imagined winning it and I could never have imagined collecting the Golden Boot as well as being a world champion.
Carli Lloyd
Is it the most dominant performance in Women’s World Cup history?
In 2015, USA’s big-game player Carli Lloyd became the first to score a hat-trick in a Women's World Cup Final and she joined Geoff Hurst - hero of England's men's 1966 win - as the second to do so at that stage of any senior World Cup.
What made Lloyd’s treble all the more remarkable is that it was completed after just 16 minutes.
Of those three goals, one stands out in particular: Lloyd’s magical strike from 50-yards which sent Vancouver’s BC Place into raptures.
Speaking exclusively with FIFA.com, Lloyd gives an extraordinary insight into the morning of the Final, as well as the long-range stunner which is undoubtedly one of the most iconic strikes in Women’s World Cup history.
Is it the most dominant performance in Women’s World Cup history?
In 2015, USA’s big-game player Carli Lloyd became the first to score a hat-trick in a Women's World Cup Final and she joined Geoff Hurst - hero of England's men's 1966 win - as the second to do so at that stage of any senior World Cup.
What made Lloyd’s treble all the more remarkable is that it was completed after just 16 minutes.
Of those three goals, one stands out in particular: Lloyd’s magical strike from 50-yards which sent Vancouver’s BC Place into raptures.
Speaking exclusively with FIFA.com, Lloyd gives an extraordinary insight into the morning of the Final, as well as the long-range stunner which is undoubtedly one of the most iconic strikes in Women’s World Cup history.
Every single game I play I’m always checking to see where the goalkeeper is. She was really off her line. When the ball left my foot I knew that I couldn’t have hit it any more perfect.
Take an interactive tour of the FIFA Women’s World Cup’s Golden Ball and Golden Boot winners through the years.
The FIFA World Football Museum celebrates the rich heritage of football and the game’s unique ability to connect and inspire people around the world. Discover some of the highlights of the Museum's fascinating collection.
