From playing in the shadows to filling stadiums around the world, women’s soccer has a remarkable history of determination, resilience and progress.

Women’s soccer has been played for well over a century, yet its journey towards recognition has often been a struggle against prejudice, restrictions and a lack of investment.

One of the earliest recorded women’s matches took place in Scotland in 1881. As the game grew in popularity, women’s teams began attracting significant crowds in Britain. During the First World War, women working in factories formed football teams, with matches providing entertainment and raising money for charitable causes.

One of the most famous teams was Dick, Kerr Ladies, based in Preston, England. On Boxing Day 1920, the team played in front of approximately 53,000 spectators at Goodison Park in Liverpool, demonstrating the enormous public appetite for women’s football.

Despite this success, the Football Association in England banned women from playing on grounds affiliated with the organisation in 1921, claiming the game was unsuitable for women. The restriction remained in place until 1971, holding back the development of women’s football for generations.

Elsewhere, the sport continued to grow, although progress was uneven. In North America, women increasingly participated in school, college and community soccer, helping create the foundations for future professional opportunities.

International competition became a major turning point. The first official FIFA Women’s World Cup took place in China in 1991, providing a global stage for the world’s best players. Since then, the tournament has grown into one of the biggest events in women’s sport.

Canada has played an important role in this development. The Canadian women’s national team has become a source of national pride, winning Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021 and demonstrating what sustained commitment and opportunity can achieve.

Today, women’s soccer continues to break new ground. Professional leagues are expanding, attendances are growing, and players are increasingly recognised as role models for young athletes.

However, challenges remain, including differences in funding, facilities, media coverage and professional opportunities.

The history of women’s soccer is about more than trophies and famous players. It is a story of people who continued to play despite being told they should not, and of generations who fought for the opportunities that young girls increasingly have today.

From the early pioneers who played before thousands of spectators to today’s international stars, women’s soccer has shown that passion for the game has never belonged to one gender. The challenge now is to ensure that opportunity, investment and recognition continue to grow alongside it.