WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023
Women’s World Cup: all the Golden Boot winners 1991-2019
We’re counting down the days until the 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand, with thoughts on which player will score the most goals.
Goals, goals, goals... that’s what gets us excited, no matter the competition. And given that a rather important one lies ahead this summer -- the FIFA Women’s World Cup for anyone not paying attention -- we’re expecting big things from those net botherers. The World Cup is where we see the best nations battle it out to be global champions and although team glory is the ultimate objective, being top scorer at the tournament is an individual accolade worth striving for. Since 1991, many great players have left their mark in this regard and we reflect on those that annoyed the opposing defences the most.
Top scorers at Women’s World Cups
1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Michelle Akers (USA)
Michelle Akers was the top scorer at the first Women’s World Cup, held in China in 1991. She scored ten goals in total, including five in one game against Chinese Taipei. Akers helped lead the USA to the title, scoring the opening goal in the final against Norway.
1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Ann Kristin Aarones and Hege Riise (both Norway)
The 1995 Women’s World Cup, held in Sweden, saw two players tie for the Golden Boot. Norway’s Ann Kristin Aarones and Hege Riise each scored six goals during the tournament. Despite their efforts, Norway finished as runners-up to Germany in the final.
1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Sissi (Brazil) and Sun Wen (China)
Sissi was the top scorer in 1999, held in the USA, along with Sun Wen from China, with a tally of seven goals each across the games. This haul for the Brazilian included a crucial free-kick as the samba queens ultimately finished in third place after defeating Norway in the playoff. The home team took the crown that year.
2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Birgit Prinz (Germany)
Birgit Prinz of Germany was the top scorer at the 2003 Women’s World Cup, held in the USA. She scored seven goals in total, including two in the final against Sweden. Prinz helped lead Germany to their first Women’s World Cup title.
2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Marta (Brazil)
Marta is widely considered one of the greatest female footballers of all time, and she showed her quality at the 2007 tournament in China. She scored seven, including one in the final against Germany. However, Brazil finished as runners-up to the Europeans that year.
2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Homare Sawa (Japan)
Japan’s Homare Sawa was the top scorer at the 2011 Women’s World Cup, held in Germany. She scored five goals in total, including one in the final against the USA. Sawa’s performances helped lead Japan to their first Women’s World Cup title.
2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Celia Sasic (Germany) and Carli Lloyd (USA)
Back in 2015 Women’s World Cup, hosted in Canada, saw two players tie for the Golden Boot. During the competition, Celia Sasic of Germany and Carli Lloyd of the USA both scored six goals. Nonetheless, Lloyd had the most impact on the outcome of the match, scoring a hat-trick to assist the USA defeat Japan.
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Megan Rapinoe (USA), Ellen White (England), and Alex Morgan (USA)
The most recent Women’s World Cup was held in France in 2019, and three players tied for the Golden Boot. USA’s Megan Rapinoe, England’s Ellen White, and USA’s Alex Morgan each scored six goals with the US stars helping lead the USWNT to their fourth global title.