2019 Women’s World Cup: Who has won the most women’s World Cups?

The women’s game’s biggest competition kicks off this summer in France so it’s a perfect time to check out who has has won the competition the most.

Of the 24 nations taking part in this year Women’s World Cup, only a handful will have realistic ambitions of lifting the trophy come the end of the tournament. Seven teams have reached the World Cup final, only four have successfully won the trophy. The United States are the most successful side in the competition’s history with three win. The United States won the inaugural World Cup in 1991 in China and then again on home soil in 1999. They broke a 16 year drought in Canada four years ago by beating Japan and securing a record third world title. The United States have also reached the most finals, losing the 2011 final for a total of four.

Germany follow the United States as the second most successful team in women’s World Cup history. The Germans have won the competitions twice and are the only team to have retained the title, winning back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Joint in third is Norway and Japan with one title. Norway won their lone World Cup in 1995 against Germany while Japan won their World Cup in 2011 against the United States. Three more teams have reached the final but have so far failed to win the title. China hosted the first ever World Cup, however they reached their first and only final so far in 1999, losing to the hosts on a penalty shootout. Sweden have also reached a final but lost to Germany in 2003 as did Brazil in 2007.

England and France will be fancied by some as dark horses for the competition having placed in the preceding two, the French will be looking to become the first host since America in 1999 to win the tournament on home soil and given the French track record for winning on home soil (the men’s team won two of their major honors at home), they might fancy their chances of pulling a shock.