Ironically, renewed interest in women’s soccer was triggered by the men’s FIFA World Cup in 1966, hosted by England. By 1970, those bans were finally lifted, followed a year later by UEFA encouraging national associations to manage the women’s game. Women’s soccer joined the Olympic Games just 30 years ago, in Atlanta. The USWNT’s second World Cup triumph in 1999 sparked the creation of the Women’s United Soccer Association, the first fully professional league in women’s soccer. Women’s soccer wasn’t held back because there was no interest.

Source: Metro January 30, 2026 04:02 UTC