FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball is one of three player awards that is presented to one athlete each FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Women’s Golden Ball designates one woman as the best player in each FIFA World Cup based on their overall performance. The first FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball award was presented in 1991 at the China Women’s World Cup, which was also the first Women’s World Cup. However, the FIFA Golden Ball award existed for years prior in the Men’s World Cups, designating the best men’s player in each FIFA World Cup.
The first FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award was given at the 1982 World Cup to Paolo Rossi, an Italian Forward, for his outstanding performance. This began the legacy of the Golden Ball award, returning to each Men’s World Cup. With the advent of the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991, the FIFA Golden Ball award made its first appearance in the women’s tournament. Carin Jennings Gabarra, an American, was the first recipient of the Women’s Golden Ball award. The talented forward was given the award after scoring six goals throughout the U.S. Women’s National Team’s six games. Three of Carin Jennings’ goals were scored in the semifinal against Germany alone, allowing the United States Women’s Team to move on to the final and eventually win the tournament. The FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball is one of soccer’s most sought-after awards.
Who has won the FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball?
- 1991 China: Carin Jennings
- 1995 Sweden: Hege Riise
- 1999 United States: Sun Wen
- 2003 United States: Birgit Prinz
- 2007 China: Marta
- 2011 Germany: Homare Sawa
- 2015 Canada: Carli Lloyd
- 2019 France: Megan Rapinoe
Who has won the FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Ball?
- 1991 China: Michelle Akers
- 1995 Sweden: Gro Espeseth
- 1999 United States: Sissi
- 2003 United States: Victoria Svensson
- 2007 China: Birgit Prinz
- 2011 Germany: Abby Wambach
- 2015 Canada: Amandine Henry
- 2019 France: Lucy Bronze
Who has won the FIFA Women’s World Cup Bronze Ball?
- 1991 China: Linda Medalen
- 1995 Sweden: Ann Kristin Aarønes
- 1999 United States: Michelle Akers
- 2003 United States: Maren Meinert
- 2007 China: Cristiane
- 2011 Germany: Hope Solo
- 2015 Canada: Aya Miyama
- 2019 France: Rose Lavelle
FAQ
What is the Golden Ball in the FIFA Women’s World Cup?
In the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Golden Ball is an award given to the tournament’s highest performing player, determining them the competition’s most valuable player. The First FIFA Women’s Golden Ball award was given to Carin Jennings in the 1991 Women’s World Cup, which was also the first Women’s World Cup. Jennings was given the award after scoring six goals throughout the tournament. Three of her goals were scored in the semifinal match against Germany, allowing the United States to move on to the final and win the World Cup.
What is the Silver Ball in the FIFA Women’s World Cup?
In the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Silver Ball award is granted to the player that is the runner-up in the vote for the Golden Ball award. Since the FIFA Women’s Golden Ball award designates the best performing player in the Women’s World Cup, the Silver Ball award designates the second best player. The first soccer player to win the FIFA Silver Ball award was Michelle Akers in the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991. Akers is an American forward that helped the team win the 1991 World Cup final.
What is the Bronze Ball in the FIFA Women’s World Cup?
The Bronze Ball award in the FIFA Women’s World Cup is an award that is given to the third-best player in the competition. Like the Golden and Silver Ball award, the Bronze Ball designates the FIFA Women’s World Cup’s third highest ranked player in the competition, based on a vote. The first player to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup Bronze Ball award was Linda Medalen in the 1991 Women’s World Cup.