The inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup was hosted by China in 1991, 61 years after the first men's tournament. Since then, the championship has traveled to five different countries and has expanded from 16 to 24 teams in the event's history. Four different nations — the United States, Norway, Germany and Japan — represent the winners of the Women's World Cup.
The 2015 tournament will be held in Canada for the first time and third time in North America overall.
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP: 10 stars you should know | U.S. soccer schedule | Group stage schedule
Here is a list of hosts, winners, runners-ups and MVP awards for each of the last six tournaments:
FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP HISTORY
1991
Host: China
Champion: United States
Runner-up: Norway
adidas Golden Ball: Carin Jennings (USA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Michelle Akers (USA)
1995
Host: Sweden
Champion: Norway
Runner-up: Germany
adidas Golden Ball: Hege Riise (NOR)
adidas Golden Shoe: Ann Kristin Aarones (NOR)
1999
Host: United States
Champion: United States
Runner-up: China
adidas Golden Ball: Sun Wen (CHN)
adidas Golden Shoe: Sisleide Lima De Amor (BRA)
2003
Host: United States
Champion: Germany
Runner-up: Sweden
adidas: Golden Ball: Birgit Prinz (GER)
adidas: Golden Shoe: Birgit Prinz (GER)
2007
Host: China
Champion: Germany
Runner-up: Brazil
adidas Goden Ball: Marta (BRA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Marta (BRA)
2011
Host: Germany
Champion: Japan
Runner-up: United States
adidas Golden Ball: Homare Sawa (JPN)
adidas Golden Shoe: Homare Sawa (JPN)