2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

Format and participants

The competition employed the 24-team format introduced in earlier editions: teams were drawn into six groups of four for the group stage, with the top two from each group and the four best third-placed teams progressing to a round of 16. From there the tournament proceeded in single-elimination matches through quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final. Qualification brought a mixture of long-established powers and debutants; Chile made its first appearance, while several European nations returned after long absences. Team information and profiles were widely published by federations and media outlets: teams and rosters.

Host selection and venues

France was awarded hosting rights in 2015, marking the first time the country organized the Women’s World Cup and the third time the finals took place in Europe. Matches were scheduled across nine cities, chosen to provide a geographic spread of venues and to showcase stadiums that had hosted major club and international fixtures. The bidding and selection process, along with venue details, are summarized at the host information page: host selection and venues.

Highlights and outcome

The tournament generated substantial global attention, with strong attendance at many matches and high broadcast viewership in multiple countries. Newer officiating technologies, including the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, were in use and influenced several key decisions. On the pitch, the United States retained the title, winning their fourth World Cup and confirming their place among the most successful teams in the women’s game. The event featured memorable individual performances, tactical evolutions and several upsets during group and knockout stages.

Legacy and significance

Beyond sporting results, the 2019 tournament had a lasting impact on the profile of women’s football. It accelerated conversations about professional structures, investment, and equality in the sport, and prompted greater media coverage and sponsorship interest. Organizers, federations and broadcasters published schedules, statistics and post-event reports for fans and researchers: match schedules and reports.

Notable facts

• It was the eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• France hosted matches in multiple cities to broaden regional engagement.
• Technology such as VAR played a visible role in match officiating.
• The tournament helped raise the global profile and commercial value of women’s football.