In addition to the usual suspects from Japan and the United States, the All Star team for the 2011 Women’s World Cup features three players from début semifinalists France and a young star from Equatorial Guinea. Homare SAWA leads the Japanese contingent, including fellow midfielders Aya MIYAMA and Shinobu OHNO, plus goalkeeper Ayumi KAIHORI. Other stars include top goalkeeper Hope SOLO of the US, France’s midfield powerhouse Louisa NÉCIB, Sweden’s inspirational captain Caroline SEGER, and Eq Guinea’s starlet striker AÑONMAN. more...

Japan have won the 2011 Women’s World Cup with a 3-1 win on penalties against the United States, after a thrilling final that ended 2-2 after extra time. The Nadeshiko did well to force the extra session, as the US had most of the attacking opportunities and took the lead when substitute Alex MORGAN received a long ball from Megan RAPINOE and finished in the 69th minute. But Aya MIYAMA took advantage of a mixup in the American defense twelve minutes later, firing the free ball past US keeper Hope SOLO. Late in the first overtime period, the US regained the advantage as Abby WAMBACH headed in her 13th career goal in Women’s World Cup tournaments, one short of the all time mark held by Germany’s Birgit PRINZ. Again, though, Japan answered, with Homare SAWA redirecting a corner kick into net in the 117th minute. The Japanese nearly gave it all away in the dying seconds as Azusa IWASHIMIZU brought down Morgan just outside the area. Referee Bibiana STEINHAUS, judging that the foul denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, sent Iwashimizu off. Nothing was created from the free kick, and in the shootout, Nadeshiko keeper Ayumi KAIHORI saved from Shannon BOXX and Tobin HEATH, before Saki KUMAGAI scored the winner to earn Japan their first Women’s World Cup title.

The elimination phase of the Women’s World Cup opened with two tense quarterfinals and one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history. more...

There were some late surprises on TUE 05 JUL 2011, though mostly from teams who are on their way home. more...

The mystery was removed from Group A, save for the order of finish, on THU 30 JUN 2011. more...

The sixth Women’s World Cup began with two closely contested matches in front of full crowds. more...

On FRI 20 MAR 2009, FIFA approved the 32-match schedule for the 2011 Women’s World Cup, starting with Germany’s opening match in Berlin on SUN 26 JUN 2011. The group phase continues until TUE 05-WED 06 JUL 2011, when two groups per day have their final matches. The third place and final matches, as previously announced, are in Sinsheim and Frankfurt respectively on SAT 16-SUN 17 JUL 2011. This will be the first Women’s World Cup in which no matches are played as doubleheaders in the same stadium.

The long process to decide the sixteen participants at Germany 2011 will begin on TUE 17 MAR 2009, when the 41 teams who entered the UEFA qualifiers are drawn into eight groups. Germany, who qualify automatically as hosts, will be joined by 4½ other European sides that have been divided into five pots according to performances in the qualifiers for the 2007 Women’s World Cup and Women’s Euro 2009. The group phase will be played from SEP 2009 to AUG 2010. The group winners advance to the playoffs, where four will qualify directly and a fifth will face the third placed team in CONCACAF. The draw occurs at 12:30 UTC at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. more...