When women ruled football for a day
In 1971, Mexico made history as host of the first Women’s World Cup at a time when most people believed football was only for men.
For one incredible moment, young women from Mexico and other countries showed the world that they also belonged on the big stage.
It began in 1963, when a women’s football team from Costa Rica toured Mexico. Their visit inspired many young Mexican girls to form teams of their own. By 1969, 17 women’s teams were already playing in Mexico City.
Soon, Mexico had its own women’s national team. That team went to Italy in 1970 for the first unofficial Women’s World Cup, where their 9-0 over Austria surprised everyone.
Out of the 9, a team player, Alicia Vargas scored four goals, shooting her to fame and earning her the nickname “La Pelé,” after Brazil’s famous player Pelé.
Mexico’s big moment
After the tournament in Italy, Mexico agreed to host the next Women’s World Cup. But there massive resistance from the men who controlled football in Mexico. They even threatened teams with punishment.
To get around this, organisers used private stadiums owned by media companies who wanted women’s football to succeed. These included stadiums like the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
With this intervention came massive publicity, including posters all over the city and even a tournament mascot named Xóchitl.
There was a lot of attention on the players, not just for their skills, but also for how they looked. The goalposts were painted pink, and players were encouraged to get their hair and makeup done.
Organisers at the time said it was to show that sports could still be “feminine.”
The tournament became a huge success. Matches had crowds of about 15,000 people, and more than 100,000 fans packed into the Estadio Azteca for the finals.
The highs and lows
Mexico played excellently and made it to the final against Denmark. But just before the big game, arguments broke out over money. The players had wanted a bonus for their hard work.
Denmark’s 15-year-old star Susanne Augustesen eventually scored three goals, and Denmark won the title. But the real winner was women’s football.
Coach Harry Batt, who led the English team, said: "I am certain that in the future, there will be full-time professional ladies' teams."
Still, after the tournament, things changed fast. The excitement faded. Many of the players who had been treated like stars returned home to little or no recognition.
In England, some players were even mocked at public events. In Mexico, the women's team was forgotten, and they went back to playing on dusty fields without much support.
How they earned respect
The 1971 Women’s World Cup did not immediately change women’s football until girls from the United States joined in the race. They had grown up playing football in mixed teams without the same barriers.
By the time FIFA finally organised an official Women’s World Cup in 1991, the U.S. was the new powerhouse, winning two of the first three tournaments.
Mexico, meanwhile, was left behind for a while.
But today, the Mexican women’s professional league is growing. Women players now earn decent wages, and matches are shown on TV. Still, many top coaching jobs are held by men, and the national team has struggled to match the success of the men's side.
But the story of the 1971 World Cup cannot be forgotten. In 2023, for example, the film Copa 71 premiered to celebrate the event and the brave young women who helped open the doors for today’s football stars.
