if you want to learn more about this i highly recommend watching copa 71, it’s a documentary about the women’s world cup in 1971 which fifa refused to claim as a ‘real’ world cup. there are also interviews with women who played in the tournament🙏
if anyone is interested, this is a really interesting history of womens football—its achievements and setbacks. in 1921 women were banned from using mens stadiums and facilities by the FA for 50 years due to its rising popularity, causing the gap in popularity and "quality" now