Women's football has evolved from being banned to gaining global recognition, with the first recorded ladies match taking place in Scotland on May 7th, 1881. The sport faced periods of prohibition and neglect before experiencing a resurgence in recent decades.
Today, women’s football is a real sports phenomenon, followed by millions of fans worldwide, but it hasn’t always been the case. It all started on the 7th of May 1881, when the first recorded ladies match took place in Scotland. While details surrounding this initial game are scarce, it marked the beginning of organized football for women.
The sport experienced growth and popularity in the early 20th century, particularly during World War I when women filled roles vacated by men fighting overseas. However, following the war, a ban was imposed on women’s football by the English Football Association in 1921. The FA cited concerns about the game not being ‘suitable for ladies,’ effectively halting its development for decades.
The ban wasn't formally lifted until 1971, paving the way for renewed interest and organization. Despite this, progress remained slow for many years. It wasn’t until the 1990s that women’s football began to gain significant momentum, culminating in the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991. Since then, the sport has continued to grow exponentially, attracting larger audiences and increased investment.
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