Fourteen editions of the men’s World Cup took place before the first FIFA Women’s World Cup – two decades earlier though, an unofficial tournament welcomed the biggest-ever crowd for a female match.
The first unofficial Women’s World Cup was organised by FIEFF (Federation of Independent European Female Football). It was held in Italy in 1970, a month after Pele’s Brazil had lifted the men’s trophy in Mexico. The England women’s team didn’t play their first ever official international until 1972 – female teams were still banned from playing at Football League grounds on these shores – but a squad travelled to take part in the seven-team event, thumping Germany 5-1 in their opening game before losing to eventual winners Denmark in the semis and Mexico in the third place play-off.
A year later, England were
