The Rise of Women’s Football

Origins

The roots of women’s football stretch further back than many realise. In ancient history, depictions of women playing ball games can be found in Egyptian hieroglyphs and Greek pottery. But the modern game began to take shape in the late 19th century.

One of the earliest recorded women’s matches took place in 1881. A key figure in its emergence was Scottish suffragist Helen Matthews, who championed women’s right to play. A feminist, sporting pioneer, and entrepreneur, Matthews was also a passionate footballer, serving as both manager and goalkeeper of her team. At 23, she organised a landmark match between teams from London and Glasgow. Though mocked by the press and dismissed by football authorities, the public response was overwhelmingly positive.

During the First World War, with men conscripted and women taking on roles on the home front, including factory work, football among female workers experienced a surge in popularity. Informal matches quickly evolved into organised teams. The most famous was the Dick, Kerr Ladies of Preston, formed in 1917. They rose to national fame, drawing huge crowds. On Boxing Day 1920, their match against St. Helen’s Ladies at Goodison Park attracted over 53,000 spectators, with thousands more turned away at the gates.

The FA Ban

Despite the sport’s popularity, the Football Association (FA) dealt a devastating blow in 1921, banning women’s matches from being played on FA-affiliated pitches.

We could only put it down to jealousy. We were more popular than the men.

Alice Barlow, Dick, Kerr Ladies player

The FA claimed football was "unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged." Other national associations followed suit. With access to proper facilities, equipment, and support denied, women’s football was pushed to the margins.

Yet it survived. Unofficial matches continued in parks, and independent tournaments kept the sport alive. In countries such as France, Italy, and Germany, passionate grassroots efforts maintained momentum, often without the benefit of media attention or financial backing.

Growing Recognition

The 1960s marked a period of significant social change and a growing demand for gender equality. Slowly, football began to reflect this shift. In England, the Women’s Football Association (WFA) was formed in 1969, and the FA finally lifted its 50-year ban in 1971.

FIFA followed suit. That same year, the first official international women’s match took place between France and the Netherlands. Across Europe and South America, national women’s teams began to emerge. By the 1980s, UEFA had laid the foundations for what would become the UEFA Women’s Championship.

Still, progress was slow. Teams received little to no funding. Players often juggled full-time work with training and international matches.

Global Expansion

In England, the women’s game remained underfunded and amateur. As a result, the national team failed to qualify for the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991, held in China. The tournament, won by the USA, marked a major turning point. Despite limited support and broadcast coverage, the event showcased high-level talent and laid the groundwork for a global audience.

The 1999 Women’s World Cup, also won by the USA, became a cultural phenomenon. Held on home soil, the final at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl drew over 90,000 fans—an attendance record that stood for years. Brandi Chastain’s winning penalty and her iconic celebration became a defining image of the sport.

Following this, youth development programs expanded and national leagues began to form. Women’s football was no longer a novelty. It was becoming a global force.

The Professional Era

Professional leagues were established around the world. In the US, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)became a leading competition. England launched the FA Women’s Super League (WSL), and top-flight leagues appeared in Germany, Sweden, Australia, and beyond.

International tournaments soared in popularity. The 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada and the 2019 edition in France set new records for viewership. The 2019 final, in which the USA beat the Netherlands, was watched by over a billion people worldwide. It also reignited debates around equal pay, visibility, and respect for women’s football.

Modern Day Momentum

Today, women's football is a rapidly growing sport with a clear upward trajectory. The UEFA Women's Euro 2022, hosted in England, shattered attendance records and ended with a historic victory for the host nation. England’s women, now known as the Lionesses, beat Germany 2-1 in extra time. In a stunning chapter in a true underdog story, they brought home the country’s first major football trophy since the men won the World Cup in 1966.

The victory wasn’t just a sporting triumph; it was a cultural moment. Girls across the UK were inspired to take up the sport, and funding pledges for grassroots and school football followed.

The women’s game now enjoys record sponsorship deals, prime-time TV slots, and growing professional standards.

There is still a long way to go, but with world-famous players like Ella Toone, Sam Kerr and Lauren James leading the way, the sky is the limit!

You don't meet a boring woman footballer. If they didn't have great determination and absolute passion for football, they’d have gone away and done something else.

Jean Williams, professor of sports history and a leading academic author on women’s football