 The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup was the third edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup, the international women's championship created by FIFA following several precursor tournaments that were organized to test its feasibility.International women's football had gained popularity in the 1970s, following the easing of gender sanctions by national football associations, and competitions were organized between national teams, including the Mundialito and Women's World Invitational Tournament.A FIFA-organized women's tournament was hosted by China in 1988 and was followed by the announcement of the first FIFA Women's World Cup, to be hosted by China in 1991.