The Rise and Rise of Women's Football


But it wasn't always like this. Women's football has had to overcome countless hardships over the years. Find out everything you need to know about the Women's World Championship here, including its history, importance, and how to bet on women's football.


Women's World Championship History

Although it's only been going since 1991, the Women's World Championship already has a rich and storied past. The United States Women's National Team (USWNT) have been pioneers of the international game, dominating the competition since its inception. 

They are one of four nations ever to win the tournament, along with Germany, Norway, and Japan. Other countries that have historically performed well in the World Cup include Brazil, Sweden, and China.

There have been some memorable moments in the Women's World Championship over the years. Remember the 2015 Final, where the USWNT thrashed Japan 5-2 and Carli Lloyd scored one of the most audacious hat-tricks ever seen in a final? How about Japan's emotional World Championship victory in 2011, just months after their home country was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami?

Read on for more Women’s World Championship trivia:

When was the first Women's World Championship and Where was it held?

The first Women's World Championship was held in 1991. It was hosted by China.

Who has won the most Women's WCs?

The USWNT has won the most Cups, with four trophies to their name. They've reached a total of five World championship finals.

Who won the last Women's WC in 2019? 

That would be the USWNT again, beating the Netherlands 2-0 at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon, France.

When is the Women's WC 2023?

The Women's World Championship Tournament is scheduled to take place from 20 July to 20 August 2023.

Where will the 2023 Women's World Championship be held? 

The next edition of the Women's World Championship will be held jointly in Australia and New Zealand. It marks the first time the competition has been staged in the Southern Hemisphere.

What group is England in for the 2023 Women's WC? 

The Lionesses are in Group D for the 2023 Women's World Championship, along with Denmark, Haiti, and China.

Who is the record top scorer at a Women's WC? 

Brazilian forward Marta currently holds the record for most goals scored at a Women's WC with 17.

England Women at the Women's WC

Whether women's or men's football, England have traditionally been a side that promises so much, but delivers so little. For decades, the English public lived in a state of perpetual disappointment that was the result of too much hope and too little cynicism - something that we Brits are usually fond of.

But in recent years, our fate has begun to change. England Women have hit their stride as one of the best sides in the world, thanks largely to increased funding, reduced stigmas, and better opportunities for young women in the country.
The Lionesses won the European Championships in 2022, capping off an excellent decade of football in which they finished third at the 2015 Women's World Championship and fourth in the 2019 edition. For the first time since 1966, the World Cup might just come home.

A New Era for Women's Football

Women's football has had a tumultuous history, through no fault of its own. There's no denying the damage governments and societies around the world have done to the female game. But through periods of intense hardship, a new era for women's football is dawning.

In the UK, women's football teams were banned from playing in men's grounds in 1921 after ladies' games became so popular that they'd often attract bigger crowds than their male counterparts. This ban lasted 50 years and all but ended the women's game.

It wasn't until 1971 - and an order from UEFA - that the English FA lifted the ban. Since then, women's football has grown from strength to strength, slowly but surely returning to the former heights of the 55,000-strong crowds the sport once attracted.

The women's game has never stopped being a powerful tool in the fight for equality. Even today, opportunities and funding in women's football are dwarfed by those of the men's game. But with interest in the sport rising, international competitions like the Women's World Championship are even more significant for the growth of the sport and equality.

The Women's World Championship 2023 will be one of the most watched sporting events of the year. Merch sales are already through the roof, as are ticket sales, which all points to the upcoming tournament being a huge success. We are finally seeing women's football enter a new stage - one that promises big things for the years ahead.

Women's WC 2023

The 2023 Women's World Championship will be the biggest one yet. Viewing figures, ticket sales, and the number of teams competing will all be higher than any previous edition, since there are now 32 participants - up from the 24 of previous tournaments.

England had a good campaign in the 2019 Women's World Championship, easily seeing off Scotland, Argentina, and Japan in the group stages. They then eased past Cameroon and Norway in the knockouts, before the United States finally halted their run in the semi-finals. The Lionesses ended up losing the Third Place Play-off to Sweden, finishing the tournament in fourth.

For this year's competition, England will be hoping they can go further. They should look to build on last year's European Championships success and push on to fight for glory on the global stage. 
The Lionesses are favourites to top their group, with Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo their two biggest threats going forwards. With stars Beth Mead and Leah Williamson missing through injury, however, England will need to be on the top of their game.

Women's WC Betting

If you want to place a bet on the Women's World Championship, you've come to the right place. Never has there been a better time for women's football betting, as the competition's popularity has grown rapidly in recent years. TV coverage and viewing figures have dramatically increased, so you can find a huge range of streaming options for the Women's WC.
At Unibet, you can take advantage of some of the best women's football odds out there. And with a wide selection of betting markets, you'll have no problem building a bet slip that suits you. From the next goalscorer to the outright Women's WC winner, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Using the Unibet Bet Builder for the Women's World Championship

The betting revolution is here with Unibet's Bet Builder! Now you can add multiple markets across different matches to the same bet and stake one single wager, giving you more control over how you bet! Simply find the event you want to bet on and select the ‘Bet Builder’ tab. 

Choose your markets, then add your stake in the bet slip. Alternatively, choose a few markets from one game, a few from another, and so on (up to a max of 12 markets), and then add your stake. Quality Women's WC betting couldn't be simpler!