The most prominent competition in women's football is the FIFA Women's World Cup. The FIFA senior women's national teams, the sport's international governing organization, compete in it. Since its first iteration in China in 1991, the event has been staged every four years. The United States won the most recent World Cup, which was held in France in 2019. The Americans defeated the Netherlands 2-0 to earn their second straight and fourth overall championship.
The World Cup trophy represents success and triumph for the athletes who hoist it. It is a 47 cm tall, 4.6-kilogram sterling silver trophy with gold plating. Two people are shown supporting the Earth in the image. In 1998, William Sawaya and Milanese artisans Sawaya & Moroni created the trophy by hand. It took the place of the first trophy, which was given to the United States permanently following their third victory in 2015.
Only four nations—the United States (four times), Germany (twice), Japan, and Norway (one each)—have so far taken home the World Cup. Therefore, the trophy has only ever been held by athletes from these nations. The five athletes with the most World Cup championships are as follows:
Kristine Lilly - 2 times champion
Kristine Lilly is a female football superstar and one of the most awarded athletes in history. She made a record 354 appearances and 130 goals for the American national team between 1987 and 2010. In 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007, she was the only player, male or female, to compete in five World Cups. In 1991 and 1999, she won two World Cup championships. She also competed on the squad that finished third in 1995, 2003, and 2007, and second in 2011. After the 2007 World Cup, she announced her retirement from international football. She had played the most minutes of any player in World Cup history.
Birgit Prinz - 2 times champion
One of the finest players of all time and the greatest German player ever is largely considered Birgit Prinz. She made 214 games and 128 goals for the German national team between 1994 and 2011. She trails Marta of Brazil in terms of World Cup scoring totals. In five World Cups—1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011—she participated. In 2003 and 2007, she won two World Cup championships. Additionally, she was a member of the groups that came in second in 1995 and fourth in 2011. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, she won the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times. After the 2011 World Cup, she announced her retirement from international football after eight years as the team's captain.
Carli Lloyd - 2 times champion
One of the current female football stars and an important member of the American squad is Carli Lloyd. Since 2005, she has competed for the United States, earning more than 300 appearances and tallying more than 120 goals. In four World Cups—2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019—she has participated. In 2015 and 2019, she won two World Cup championships. She also competed on the teams that placed third in 2007 and second in 2011. In 2015 and 2016, she received two FIFA World Player of the Year awards. She is renowned for her crucial contributions and significant goals, including as her hat trick in the 2015 World Cup final versus Japan.
Megan Rapinoe - 2 times champion
Another recent female football standout and captain of the American squad is Megan Rapinoe. Since 2006, she has competed for the United States, earning more than 170 appearances and tallying more than 60 goals. Three World Cups—2011, 2015, and 2019—have seen her on the field. In 2015 and 2019, she won two World Cup championships. She also competed on the second-place team in 2011. With six goals and three assists, she helped her side win the championship in 2019 and was awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year. In addition, she is a strong proponent of equality and social justice, both on and off the field. She will compete in her fourth World Cup in 2023 while still being active.
Keratin Gaefrekes - 2 times champion
Former German athlete Kerstin Garefrekes was a dynamic and dependable performer for her national squad. Between 2001 and 2013, she made 130 appearances for Germany, scoring 44 goals. She participated in the 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015 World Cups. In 2003 and 2007, she won two World Cup championships. She also competed on the teams that placed third in 2015 and fourth in 2011. She was renowned for her aerial prowess and scored a number of headers in critical situations. After the 2015 World Cup, she announced her retirement from international football after winning every significant award with Germany.
