The countdown for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup is just hours away from kick off as 32 teams from across the globe convene in Australia and New Zealand for the quadrennial world football fiesta. The competition, the world’s most prestigious women’s football tournament, was first played in China in 1991 and, over the years, it has produced a series of unforgettable moments worth noting. ALSO READ: Six players to watch at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Times Sport takes a look at 10 facts you should know about the Women's World Cup. Canada holds the largest attendance in women's world cup history Canada hosted the women's world cup in 2015 and it was a colorful tournament. In all 1,353,506 people watched the games at the various stadiums. The England vs Canada game in Vancouver recorded a crowd of 54,000 Brazil has never won the women's world cup Unlike their men who have been very dominant with five titles, the Selecao women have never tasted world cup glory. Their best performance was a second place in China in 2007 Only female referees officiated 1999 Women's World Cup The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup which was the third edition of the competition was hosted in the USA. Only female referees officiated throughout the competition and it was the first of its kind. US are the most decorated team in women's world cup history In a sharp contrast to their men who have never even reached the world cup finals, the Yankee women have won the women's world cup four times; 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019 which is a world record. They are in New Zealand and Australia as defending champions. Australia and New Zealand 2023 will have 32 teams The women's world cup tournament has been expanded and for the first time, 32 countries will compete for the trophy at stake, rising from 24 countries which took part in the 2019 edition held in France. After the Group stages, the teams will embark on the knockout stages from the round of 16. Three debutants in the tournament Following the expansion, three countries namely Ireland, Philippines and Zambia had the chance to qualify and they will be making their maiden appearance in the competition since its inception. Seven teams featured in every women's world cup edition The United States, the defending champions, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Brazil, and Nigeria are masters of the game having played in every women's world cup tournament since its first edition in 1991 in China. Only two teams successfully defended the World Cup trophy Germany won the competition in 2003 in the United States and retained the title four years later in China. The United States did the same when they lifted the trophy 2015 in Canada and 2019 in France. Eyes are now on winning the title for the third time in a row. Kristine Lilly holds record for most appearances American Kristine Lilly played 30 games in the history of the FIFA women's world cup, amassing a total of 2,537 minutes. She played for the United States women 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. Oldest and Youngest Players in Women's World Cup history In 1999 during the FIFA women's world cup in the USA, Nigeria paraded Ifeanyi Chiejene, a secondary school student who was 16 years at that time. Brazil also had 41-year-old Miraildes Maciel Mota popularly known as Formiga at that tournament.
