The Mundialito (Spanish for "little World Cup"), was a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football (soccer). Held on four occasions in the northern region of Italy since 1984, it was one of the most prestigious women's football events, prior to the advent of the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football.
The first edition of the tournament was played in Japan in September 1981. Italy beat Japan 9-0 in Kobe to win the title,[1] while Denmark finished runners-up after beating England 1-0 in Tokyo.[2] In 1984 and 1985 the teams first played round-robin within a single pool, then a further match to decide the winner and third place. In 1986 and 1988 two groups participated, with the winner of each participating in the final.
The most successful teams were Italy with three titles and England with two. The 1985 tournament was notable for the international debut of the United States women's national soccer team.[3]
Another more recent international tournament for women's football teams, the Algarve Cup, has also been unofficially known as the Mundialito.[4]
Year | Final | Third Place Match | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | Score | Runner-up | 3rd Place | Score | 4th Place | |||
1984 | Italy |
3–1 | West Germany |
England |
2–1 | Belgium |
||
1985 | England |
3–2 | Italy |
Denmark |
1–0 | United States |
||
1986 | Italy |
1–0 | United States |
China PR |
2–1 | Japan |
||
1988 | England |
2–1 (aet) | Italy |
United States |
1–0 | France |
|