View source for 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup

{{short description|2003 edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox international football competition
| tourney_name   = FIFA Women's World Cup
| year           = 2003
| other_titles   = FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003
| image          = 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.svg
| size           = {{Logo size|FIFA canvas}}
| country        = United States
| dates          = {{Nowrap|September 20 – October 12}}
| caption        = Official logo
| num_teams      = 16
| confederations = 6
| venues         = 6
| cities         = 6
| champion_other = {{fbw|GER}}
| count          = 1
| second_other   = {{fbw|SWE}}
| third_other    = {{fbw|USA}}
| fourth_other   = {{fbw|CAN}}
| matches        = 32
| goals          = 107
| attendance     = {{#expr: <!--Group A--> 24347 + 34144 + 31553 + 31553 + 22828 + 22828 <!--Group B-->+ 24347 + 34144 + 16316 + 16316 + 14356 + 17618 <!--Group C-->+ 16409 + 16409 + 15529 + 15529 + 14356 + 17618 <!--Group D-->+ 15239 + 15239 + 13929 + 13929 + 19132 + 19132 <!--Quarter-finals-->+ 25103 + 25103 + 20012 + 20012 <!--Semi-finals-->+ 27623 + 27623 <!--Third place-->+ 25253 <!--Final-->+ 26137}}
| top_scorer     = {{fbwicon|GER}} [[Birgit Prinz]] {{nowrap|(7 goals)}}
| player         = {{fbwicon|GER}} [[Birgit Prinz]]
| goalkeeper     = {{fbwicon|GER}} [[Silke Rottenberg]]
| fair_play      = {{fbw|CHN}}
| prevseason     = [[1999 FIFA Women's World Cup|1999]]
| nextseason     = [[2007 FIFA Women's World Cup|2007]]
}}

The '''2003 FIFA Women's World Cup''' was the fourth edition of the [[FIFA Women's World Cup]], the quadrennial championship of [[women's association football|women's national soccer]] teams organized by [[FIFA]]. It was held in the United States from September 20 to October 12, 2003, at six venues in six cities across the country. The tournament was won by [[Germany women's national football team|Germany]], who became the first country to win both the [[FIFA World Cup|men's]] and women's World Cup.

China was originally awarded the right to host the tournament, which would have taken place from September 23 to October 11 in four cities. [[2002–2004 SARS outbreak|A severe outbreak]] of [[SARS]] in early 2003 affected [[Guangdong]] in southern China and prompted FIFA to move the Women's World Cup to the United States, who had hosted the [[1999 FIFA Women's World Cup|previous edition]] in 1999. China was instead granted hosting rights for the [[2007 FIFA Women's World Cup]] and financial compensation while the [[United States Soccer Federation]] made new arrangements to host at smaller stadiums.

==Preparations==
===Host selection and change===

FIFA awarded hosting rights for the Women's World Cup to China on October 26, 2000, beating a bid by Australia.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cockerill |first=Michael |date=October 26, 2000 |title=Women's World Cup failure hastens merger talks |page=8 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33604578/womens_world_cup_failure_hastens/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706225600/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33604578/womens_world_cup_failure_hastens/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The tournament was originally planned to run from September 23 to October 11 at venues in [[Shanghai]], [[Wuhan]], [[Chengdu]] and [[Hangzhou]].<ref name="Chicago04">{{cite news |last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=April 11, 2003 |title=SARS threat may move World Cup |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-04-11-0304110230-story.html |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706225557/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-04-11-0304110230-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Several sporting events in China were canceled or postponed in early April due to the [[2002–2004 SARS outbreak|outbreak]] of [[SARS]] in Southern China, including the official draw for the Women's World Cup; FIFA launched a joint investigation with the [[World Health Organization]] into whether the outbreak would subside by the time of the tournament.<ref name="Chicago04"/> The United States, Canada and Australia were mentioned as potential replacement hosts at the time.<ref name="Chicago04"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-07-sp-socrep7-story.html |title=SARS Threatens Staging of Women's World Cup |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 7, 2003 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |first=Grahame L. |last=Jones |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812085303/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/apr/07/sports/sp-socrep7 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 3, 2003, FIFA announced that they would move the tournament to an alternate host country, which would be determined at a later date; the United States and Australia had expressed interest in hosting, while Brazil was floated as another potential host.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=May 4, 2003 |title=SARS costs China Women's World Cup |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-05-04-0305040511-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706225559/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-05-04-0305040511-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> FIFA also announced that they would instead award the [[2007 FIFA Women's World Cup]] and pay $1 million to the organizing committee to compensate for planning expenses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2003/m=5/news=sars-fifa-executive-decides-relocate-fifa-women-world-cup-2003-87152.html |title=SARS: FIFA executive decides to relocate FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 |publisher=FIFA.com |date=May 3, 2003 |access-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-date=July 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728191148/https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2003/m=5/news=sars-fifa-executive-decides-relocate-fifa-women-world-cup-2003-87152.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/20/1063625250200.html |title=China paid $1.5m for losing women's world cup |work=Sydney Morning Herald |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=September 20, 2003 |access-date=October 30, 2012 |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701210721/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/20/1063625250200.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 26, 2003, the United States was announced as the tournament's new host, ahead of the other formal bid submitted by Sweden.<ref name="NYT-host"/> The United States was judged to be a suitable emergency host because of their experience with organizing the 1999 tournament, despite potential conflicts in the fall sports schedule with [[American football]] and [[baseball]]. Women's soccer boosters in the United States also hoped that interest generated by the tournament would save the struggling professional league, the [[Women's United Soccer Association]], from folding;<ref name="NYT-host">{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=May 27, 2003 |title=U.S. Replaces China As Host of Soccer's Women's World Cup |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/27/sports/soccer-us-replaces-china-as-host-of-soccer-s-women-s-world-cup.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=November 1, 2012 |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908054348/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/27/sports/soccer-us-replaces-china-as-host-of-soccer-s-women-s-world-cup.html |url-status=live}}</ref> the league ultimately folded a few days before the tournament began in September.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=September 16, 2003 |title=Women's soccer league folds on eve of World Cup |page=1 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-09-16-0309160273-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301105814/https://www.chicagotribune.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Venues==

The tournament's 32 matches were played at six venues and organized into 15 doubleheaders, with the exception of the third-place and final matches, which were played on separate days. The [[Los Angeles]] area repeated as host of the final, which was moved from the [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]] to the [[Home Depot Center]], a smaller stadium in [[Carson, California]].<ref name="LAT-Schedule">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 17, 2003 |title=World Cup Leans to the West |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-17-sp-womensoc17-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818084838/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jun/17/sports/sp-womensoc17 |url-status=live}}</ref> The matches were scheduled in doubleheaders and moved from four venues on the East Coast to two on the West Coast as it progressed to later matchdays.<ref name="LAT-Schedule"/> The size and scope of the tournament were also reduced from the 1999 edition due to the limited time to organize and prepare for the event.<ref name="NYT-Skip">{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=June 13, 2003 |title=World Cup To Skip New York |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/13/sports/soccer-world-cup-to-skip-new-york.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116001318/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/13/sports/soccer-world-cup-to-skip-new-york.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Mostly due to the rescheduling of the tournament on short notice, FIFA and the [[United States Soccer Federation]] were forced to creatively schedule matches. Nine doubleheaders were scheduled in group play (similar to the 1999 format). They also had to abandon the modern practice of scheduling the final matches of the group stage to kick off simultaneously. In Groups A and D, the final matches were scheduled as the two ends of a doubleheader. The final matches in Groups B and C were also scheduled as doubleheaders, but split between two cities, with a Group B match in each city followed by a Group C match. The four quarter-finals were also scheduled as two doubleheaders, and both semi-finals were also a doubleheader.<ref name="LAT-Schedule"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/sports/soccer-the-group-dynamics-of-the-women-s-world-cup.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=The Group Dynamics of the Women's World Cup |work=The New York Times |date=September 17, 2003 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808191646/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/sports/soccer-the-group-dynamics-of-the-women-s-world-cup.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |url-status=live}}</ref>

The host stadiums were announced on June 13, 2003, including three large stadiums to open the tournament and three small, [[soccer-specific stadium]]s for later stages.<ref name="NYT-Skip"/> [[Giants Stadium]] in the New York City area backed out of hosting after being unable to resolve scheduling issues with the [[New York Giants]].<ref name="NYT-Skip"/> For the tournament, Portland's newly renovated [[PGE Park]] (formerly Civic Stadium) received a new grass surface and temporary bleachers to expand capacity to 28,359;<ref>{{cite news |last=Nolen |first=John |date=September 22, 2003 |title=Work quickens on readying PGE Park for World Cup |page=E12 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> it was the only venue to host matches during the 1999 and 2003 tournaments.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haight |first=Abby |date=July 20, 2003 |title=World Cup teams' officials check out Portland |page=C4 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> [[Gillette Stadium]] replaced the demolished [[Foxboro Stadium]], while RFK Stadium was chosen in place of [[Jack Kent Cooke Stadium]] in the [[Washington, D.C.]] area. The venues also employed new security measures that were required by the U.S. government following the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001.<ref>{{harvp|FIFA Technical Study Group|2003|page=31}}</ref>

Since the tournament, RFK Stadium is the only stadium which slated for demolition beginning in January 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Florio |first1=Mike |title=RFK Stadium demolition to start later this month |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rfk-stadium-demolition-to-start-later-this-month |website=NBC Sports |publisher=NBC Universal |access-date=1 February 2025 |date=12 January 2025}}</ref> The Lincoln Financial Field, Gillette Stadium, and the PGE Park (now Providence Park) have all been moderately or heavily modified.{{cn|date=February 2024}} The Home Depot Center (now  Dignity Health Sports Park) and Colombus Crew Stadium (now Historic Crew Stadium) are{{when|date=February 2024}} the only largely unmodified stadium used for this tournament.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! [[Philadelphia]]
! [[Boston]]<br />{{small|([[Foxborough, Massachusetts]])}}
! [[Washington, D.C.]]
|-
| [[Lincoln Financial Field]]
| [[Gillette Stadium]]
| [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium]]
|-
| Capacity: '''70,000'''
| Capacity: '''68,000'''
| Capacity: '''53,000'''

|-
| [[File:Lincoln_Financial_Field_(Aerial_view).jpg|x140px]]
| [[File:Gillette Dec 08.jpg|x140px]]
| [[File:RFK Stadium aerial photo, 1988.JPEG|x140px]]

|- style="text-align:center"
| colspan="3" style="background:#f4f4f4;" |
{{location map+|USA|float=center|width=500|caption=|places=
{{Location map~|USA|lat=33.864444|long=-118.261111|label='''[[Los Angeles]]'''}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=40.009444|long=-82.991111|label='''[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]'''|position=top}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=42.090944|long=-71.264344|label='''[[Boston]]'''|position=top}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=39.900833|long=-75.1675|label='''[[Philadelphia]]'''|position=right}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=45.521389|long=-122.691667|label='''[[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]'''}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=38.889722|long=-76.971667|label='''[[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]'''|position=bottom}}
}}Venues of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States<ref name="FIFA-Attendance">{{cite report |author=FIFA Technical Study Group |year=2003 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003 Report and Statistics |pages=90–101 |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/61560c0a949c963e/original/zb4xdbbsb9igeycudpmo-pdf.pdf |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 21, 2019 |oclc=85347862 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707202952/https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/usa-2003-500802.pdf?cloudid=zb4xdbbsb9igeycudpmo |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! [[Los Angeles]]<br />{{small|([[Carson, California]])}}
! [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]
! [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]
|-
| [[Dignity Health Sports Park|Home Depot Center]]
| [[Providence Park|PGE Park]]
| [[Mapfre Stadium|Columbus Crew Stadium]]
|-
| Capacity: '''27,500'''
| Capacity: '''28,359'''
| Capacity: '''22,555'''
|-
| [[File:The pitch at the Home Depot Center.jpg|x140px]]
| [[File:PGEParkpano (cropped).jpg|x140px]]
| [[File:Columbus crew stadium mls allstars 2005.jpg|x140px]]
|}

==Participating teams and officials==

===Qualification===
{{Main|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification}}
[[File:FIFA Womens World Cup 2003.png|thumb|upright=2.0|Map of qualified countries and their final ranking in the tournament|alt=A world map showing countries who participated in the Women's World Cup, colored based on their placement in the tournament]]

Sixteen teams participated in the 2003 Women's World Cup, determined by a set of continental qualification tournaments that took place from August 18, 2001, to July 12, 2003.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 2, 2002 |title=Participants to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 |url=https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/participants-the-fifa-women-world-cup-2003-84421 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707044618/https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/participants-the-fifa-women-world-cup-2003-84421 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 14, 2003 |title=Japan settle FIFA Women's World Cup line-up |url=https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/japan-settle-fifa-women-world-cup-line-88145 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707044617/https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/japan-settle-fifa-women-world-cup-line-88145 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Three teams, [[Argentina women's national football team|Argentina]], [[France women's national football team|France]], and [[South Korea women's national football team|South Korea]], made their Women's World Cup debuts in the 2003 tournament.<ref name="NYT-Group">{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=September 17, 2003 |title=The Group Dynamics of the Women's World Cup |page=D4 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/sports/soccer-the-group-dynamics-of-the-women-s-world-cup.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707044618/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/sports/soccer-the-group-dynamics-of-the-women-s-world-cup.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The remaining thirteen teams had competed in the previous World Cup.

China was granted automatic qualification as the host and retained it after the United States were named the replacement host.<ref name="FIFA-Slots">{{cite press release |date=May 26, 2003 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 to be held in USA |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/fifa-women-world-cup-2003-held-usa-87390 |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512073602/https://www.fifa.com/news/fifa-women-world-cup-2003-held-usa-87390 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The remaining fifteen participants, including the replacement host, were determined through a series of continental tournaments from a field of 99 teams.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 11, 2004 |title=No change among "Big Five" at top |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/news/change-among-big-five-top-92869 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707052942/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/news/change-among-big-five-top-92869 |url-status=dead}}</ref> FIFA allocated five berths to [[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification (UEFA)|Europe]]; two each to [[2002 Women's African Football Championship|Africa]],  [[2003 AFC Women's Championship|Asia]], [[2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup|North America]], and [[2003 Sudamericano Femenino|South America]] (increased by one from the 1999 tournament); and one to [[2003 OFC Women's Championship|Oceania]].<ref name="FIFA-Slots"/><ref name="SD-Group">{{cite news |last=Zeigler |first=Mark |date=July 18, 2003 |title=Tournament draw: Group breakdown |page=D10 |work=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]]}}</ref> The 2003 Women's World Cup was also used to determine the two European participants in the [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|2004 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/04/42/oft_04_tr_ath_149.pdf |title=2004 Olympic Football Tournaments |page=132 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-date=December 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221213033/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/04/42/oft_04_tr_ath_149.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| style="width:80%"
|-
|  style="width:50% vertical-align:top"|

* '''Africa ([[Confederation of African Football|CAF]])'''
** {{fbw|NGA}} (23)
** {{fbw|GHA}} (52)
* '''Asia ([[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]])'''
** {{nowrap|{{fbw|PRK}} (7)}}
** {{fbw|CHN}} (4) (retained automatic qualification as original host)
** {{nowrap|{{fbw|KOR|1997}} (25)}}
** {{fbw|JPN}} (14)
* '''South America ([[CONMEBOL]])'''
** {{fbw|BRA}} (6)
** {{fbw|ARG}} (35)
| style="width:50% vertical-align:top"|

* '''Europe ([[UEFA]])'''
** {{fbw|FRA|1974}} (9)
** {{fbw|GER}} (3)
** {{fbw|RUS}} (11)
** {{fbw|NOR}} (2)
** {{fbw|SWE}} (5)
* '''Oceania ([[Oceania Football Confederation|OFC]])'''
** {{fbw|AUS}} (15)
* '''North America, Central America & Caribbean ([[CONCACAF]])'''
** {{fbw|CAN}} (12)
** {{nowrap|{{fbw|USA}} (1)}} (replacement host)
|}

Numbers in parentheses indicate the [[FIFA Women's World Ranking]] for the team on August 29, 2003, prior to the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA Women's Ranking – August 29, 2003 |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/women?dateId=ranking_20030829 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=August 3, 2023}}</ref>

===Squads===
{{Main|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup squads}}

===Match officials===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Referees
|-
! Confederation
! Referee
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]]
| [[Im Eun-ju]] ([[Korea Football Association|South Korea]])
|-
| [[Zhang Dongqing]] ([[Chinese Football Association|China PR]])
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]
| [[Bola Elizabeth Abidoye]] ([[Nigeria Football Federation|Nigeria]])
|-
| [[Xonam Agboyi]] ([[Togolese Football Federation|Togo]])
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[CONCACAF]]
| [[Sonia Denoncourt]] ([[Canadian Soccer Association|Canada]])
|-
| [[Kari Seitz]] ([[United States Soccer Federation|United States]])
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[CONMEBOL]]
| [[Florencia Romano]] ([[Argentine Football Association|Argentina]])
|-
| [[Sueli Tortura]] ([[Brazilian Football Confederation|Brazil]])
|-
| [[Oceania Football Confederation|OFC]]
| [[Tammy Ogston]] ([[Football Australia|Australia]])
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[UEFA]]
| [[Katriina Elovirta]] ([[Football Association of Finland|Finland]])
|-
| [[Cristina Babadac|Cristina Ionescu]] ([[Romanian Football Federation|Romania]])
|-
| [[Nicole Petignat]] ([[Swiss Football Association|Switzerland]])
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Fourth officials
|-
! Confederation
! Referee
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[CONCACAF]]
| [[Jennifer Bennett (referee)|Jennifer Bennett]] ([[United States Soccer Federation|United States]])
|-
| [[Sandra Hunt]] ([[United States Soccer Federation|United States]])
|}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Assistant referees
|-
! Confederation
! Assistant referee
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]]
| Choi Soo-jin ([[Korea Football Association|South Korea]])
|-
| Hong Kum-nyo ([[DPR Korea Football Association|North Korea]])
|-
| [[Liu Hsiu-mei]] ([[Chinese Taipei Football Association|Chinese Taipei]])
|-
| [[Hisae Yoshizawa]] ([[Japan Football Association|Japan]])
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]
| Florence Biagui ([[Senegalese Football Federation|Senegal]])
|-
| Perpétué Désirée Krebé ([[Ivorian Football Federation|Ivory Coast]])
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[CONCACAF]]
| Lynda Bramble ([[Trinidad and Tobago Football Association|Trinidad and Tobago]])
|-
| Denise Robinson ([[Canadian Soccer Association|Canada]])
|-
| Karalee Sutton ([[United States Soccer Federation|United States]])
|-
| Sharon Wheeler ([[United States Soccer Federation|United States]])
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[CONMEBOL]]
| Alejandra Cercato ([[Argentine Football Association|Argentina]])
|-
| Sabrina Lois ([[Argentine Football Association|Argentina]])
|-
| Cleidy Mary Nunes Ribeiro ([[Brazilian Football Confederation|Brazil]])
|-
| Marlei Leite da Silva ([[Brazilian Football Confederation|Brazil]])
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Oceania Football Confederation|OFC]]
| Airlie Keen ([[Football Australia|Australia]])
|-
| Jacqueline Leleu ([[Football Australia|Australia]])
|-
| rowspan="6" | [[UEFA]]
| Elke Lüthi ([[Swiss Football Association|Switzerland]])
|-
| Irina Mirt ([[Romanian Football Federation|Romania]])
|-
| Katarzyna Nadolska ([[Polish Football Association|Poland]])
|-
| Emilia Parviainen ([[Football Association of Finland|Finland]])
|-
| Andi Regan ([[Irish Football Association|Northern Ireland]])
|-
| [[Nelly Viennot]] ([[French Football Federation|France]])
|}
{{col-end}}

===Draw===

The group draw was originally scheduled to take place on May 24, 2003, in [[Wuhan]], China, but was postponed prior to the relocation decision.<ref name="Chicago04"/> It instead took place at the [[Home Depot Center]] in [[Carson, California]] on July 17, 2003, and included a formal handover ceremony for the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy, which was given to U.S. coach [[April Heinrichs]] by Chinese coach [[Ma Liangxing]].<ref>{{cite news |date=July 8, 2003 |title=Final Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003 set for 17 July |url=https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/y=2003/m=7/news=final-draw-for-the-fifa-women-world-cup-usa-2003-set-for-july-88116.html |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622084050/https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/y=2003/m=7/news=final-draw-for-the-fifa-women-world-cup-usa-2003-set-for-july-88116.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 14, 2003 |title=So long 2003, ni hao 2007 |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/long-2003-hao-2007-22382 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706230748/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/long-2003-hao-2007-22382 |url-status=dead}}</ref> FIFA also unveiled its [[FIFA Women's World Rankings|Women's World Rankings]] system, which was used to determine seeded groups and retroactively calculated points for over 3,000 international fixtures dating back to 1971.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 17, 2003 |title=U.S. tops first women's world soccer rankings |page=D5 |work=[[The Honolulu Advertiser]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33605181/us_tops_first_womens_world_soccer/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706230750/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33605181/us_tops_first_womens_world_soccer/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The United States was placed in Group A and China was placed in Group D, while Norway and Germany were also seeded in Pot 1. The remaining three pots were distributed geographically to prevent two teams from the same confederation from being drawn into the same group, with the exception of one group that would have two European teams.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 16, 2003 |title=Procedure for the FIFA Women's World Cup Draw |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/030716/1/tq.html |work=FIFAworldcup.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031002214300/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/030716/1/tq.html |archive-date=October 2, 2003 |access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref> The hosting United States was drawn into the tournament's "[[Group of death]]" alongside Sweden, Nigeria, and North Korea—all considered strong teams from their respective confederations.<ref name="LAT-Draw">{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=July 18, 2003 |title=U.S. Has No Luck in Draw |page=D8 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33605208/us_has_no_luck_in_draw/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706230749/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33605208/us_has_no_luck_in_draw/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"style=white-space:nowrap
|-
! width=15% | Pot 1 !! width=15% | Pot 2 !! width=15% | Pot 3 !! width=15% | Pot 4
|-
| {{fbw|USA}} (A1) <br /> {{fbw|CHN}} (D1) <br /> {{fbw|GER}} <br /> {{fbw|NOR}}
|| {{fbw|ARG}} <br /> {{fbw|BRA}} <br /> {{fbw|GHA}} <br /> {{fbw|NGR}}
|| {{fbw|FRA|1974}} <br /> {{fbw|RUS}} <br /> {{fbw|SWE}} <br /> {{fbw|KOR|1997}}
|| {{fbw|AUS}} <br /> {{fbw|CAN}} <br /> {{fbw|JPN}} <br /> {{fbw|PRK}} 
|}

==Group stage==

The tournament format was unchanged from the 1999 edition, with the first round consisting of sixteen teams organized into four groups by the final draw. The [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin]] group stage consisted of 24 matches in which each team played one match against the other three teams in their group.<ref name="FIFA-Attendance"/> The winners and runners-up from each group qualified for the knockout stage, which began with the quarter-finals.<ref name="LAT-Draw"/>

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|-
! {{Anchor|Tiebreakers}} Tie-breaking criteria for group play
|-
|The ranking of teams in the group stage was determined as follows:<ref>{{cite web |date=June 2003 |title=Regulations FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003 |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/releases/en/regulations_women_eee_neu_3_7.pdf |publisher=FIFA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050529182120/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/releases/en/regulations_women_eee_neu_3_7.pdf |archive-date=May 29, 2005 |access-date=September 23, 2019}}</ref>

# [[Points (association football)|Points]] obtained in all group matches (three points for a win, one for a draw, none for a defeat);
# [[Goal difference]] in all group matches;
# Number of goals scored in all group matches;
# Points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question;
# Goal difference in the matches played between the teams in question;
# Number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams in question;
# Drawing of lots.
|}

===Group A===
{{main|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group A}}
{{2003 FIFA Women's World Cup group tables|Group A|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group A included three teams from the [[1999 FIFA Women's World Cup|previous edition]]'s Group A—hosts and defending champions [[United States women's national soccer team|United States]], African champions [[Nigeria women's national football team|Nigeria]], and Asian champions [[North Korea women's national football team|North Korea]]—alongside European runners-up [[Sweden women's national football team|Sweden]]. It was dubbed the tournament's "Group of death" at the time of the final draw, due to the presence of three continental champions and a runner-up.<ref name="LAT-Draw"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=July 18, 2003 |title=U.S. Women In Hard Group In World Cup |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/18/sports/soccer-us-women-in-hard-group-in-world-cup.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707034631/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/18/sports/soccer-us-women-in-hard-group-in-world-cup.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Nigeria were defeated 3–0 by North Korea in the opening match of the tournament, played in Philadelphia on September 20, with two goals by [[Jin Pyol-hui]] and one by [[Ri Un-gyong]] during a dominating performance for most of the match.<ref name="NGA-PRKb">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=September 21, 2003 |title=North Korea's Start Is Fast and Furious |page=D6 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33614464/north_koreas_start_is_fast_and_furious/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707034629/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33614464/north_koreas_start_is_fast_and_furious/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The United States began its title defense by winning 3–1 in its match against Sweden in Washington, D.C. at [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Memorial Stadium]], which was attended by 34,144 spectators. [[Kristine Lilly]] volleyed a shot from {{convert|20|yd|m}} in the 28th minute and was followed by a [[Cindy Parlow]] header for a 2–0 halftime lead. A header by [[Victoria Svensson]] in the 58th minute cut the lead, but the two-goal margin was restored in the 78th minute by [[Shannon Boxx]]'s header on a corner kick.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=September 22, 2003 |title=U.S. Shakes Off Rust, Sweden |page=D1 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

Sweden won 1–0 in its second match, played against North Korea in Philadelphia, with a seventh-minute volley by Svensson. The Swedish defense limited North Korea to a single shot in the first half, but goalkeeper [[Ri Jong-hui]] prevented a rout with several saves.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 26, 2003 |title=Svensson's goal sends Sweden over N. Korea |page=D3 |work=The Baltimore Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31742923/svenssons_goal_sends_sweden_over_n/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711071000/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31742923/svenssons_goal_sends_sweden_over_n/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The United States moved further ahead in group standings with a 5–0 defeat of Nigeria, but were unable to clinch an early quarterfinal berth. [[Mia Hamm]], the longtime face of the team, scored from a penalty kick in the sixth minute and a {{convert|32|yd|m|adj=mid}} free kick in the twelfth minute. Her strike partner, [[Cindy Parlow]], scored a goal of her own just after halftime by heading in a corner kick taken by Hamm.<ref>{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=September 26, 2003 |title=The Questions Are Fading After Hamm's 2 Goals |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/26/sports/soccer-the-questions-are-fading-after-hamm-s-2-goals.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711070959/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/26/sports/soccer-the-questions-are-fading-after-hamm-s-2-goals.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Substitute forward [[Abby Wambach]] scored her first Women's World Cup goal and the match's final goal came from a penalty kick taken in the 89th minute by [[Julie Foudy]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=September 26, 2003 |title=US women are in total control |page=E1 |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref>

The third matchday, played as a doubleheader in Columbus, began with Sweden's 3–0 win over Nigeria to earn a quarterfinal berth by finishing second in the group. After a scoreless first half, striker [[Hanna Ljungberg]] broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with a header and added a second in the 79th minute; Swedish captain [[Malin Moström]] then scored a third goal for her team two minutes later on a breakaway, capping a dominating offensive performance with 14 shots on target.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oller |first=Rob |date=September 29, 2003 |title=Strong second half lifts Sweden to win |page=E16 |work=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref> The United States benched several of its starting players in their final group stage match against North Korea, which was the first World Cup match without star striker Mia Hamm. The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute from a penalty kick that was awarded for a foul on [[Tiffeny Milbrett]] and scored by Abby Wambach. [[Cat Reddick]], the only college player on the U.S. roster, scored from a deflection in the 48th minute and a header in the 66th minute as the United States won 3–0 and finished at the top of Group A.<ref>{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=September 29, 2003 |title=With Norway Looming, U.S. Shows Off Depth |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/29/sports/soccer-with-norway-looming-us-shows-off-depth.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712051715/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/29/sports/soccer-with-norway-looming-us-shows-off-depth.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=September 29, 2003 |title=U.S. Dominant as Hamm, Others Sit |page=D1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-29-sp-uswomen29-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712051715/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-29-sp-uswomen29-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group A|A1}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group A|A2}}
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{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group A|A3}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group A|A4}}
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{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group A|A5}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group A|A6}}

===Group B===
{{main|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B}}
{{2003 FIFA Women's World Cup group tables|Group B|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

In Group B, 1999 semifinalists [[Brazil women's national football team|Brazil]] and [[Norway women's national football team|Norway]] were joined by Women's World Cup debutantes [[France women's national football team|France]] and [[South Korea women's national football team|South Korea]]. Norway and France had played in the same continental qualification group, finishing first and second in their group; France qualified for the final European berth by winning a two-stage play-off series against [[Denmark women's national football team|Denmark]] and [[England women's national football team|England]].<ref name="NYT-Group"/><ref name="SD-Group"/> Norway won 2–0 in their opening match against France, with second-half goals from a header by [[Anita Rapp]] and rebound by captain [[Dagny Mellgren]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=September 21, 2003 |title=Shutouts are strong evidence |page=C4 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33624862/shutouts_are_strong_evidence/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707195048/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33624862/shutouts_are_strong_evidence/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Brazil defeated South Korea 3–0 in their opener, with a penalty scored by 17-year-old midfielder [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]] in the 14th minute and two second-half goals from forward [[Kátia (footballer)|Kátia]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Glenn P. |date=September 22, 2003 |title=Brazil's old-new mix sinks South Korea, 3–0 |page=D3 |work=The Baltimore Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33625087/brazils_oldnew_mix_sinks_south_korea/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707195048/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33625087/brazils_oldnew_mix_sinks_south_korea/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Brazil moved to the top of Group B with a 4–1 defeat of Norway, who were unexpectedly overpowered by the younger members of the Brazil squad. 19-year-old [[Daniela Alves Lima|Daniela]] scored in the 26th minute after a long run through the Norwegian defense and was followed by 21-year-old defender [[Rosana dos Santos Augusto|Rosana]]'s header off a free kick in the 37th minute. Norwegian forward [[Marianne Pettersen]] scored with a header before halftime to bring the team within one goal of equalizing, but a tap-in from Marta and header by Kátia in the second half earned Brazil their [[upset (sports)|upset]] victory.<ref>{{cite news |last=Straus |first=Brian |date=September 25, 2003 |title=No Way, Norway: Brazil Powers to a 4–1 Win |page=D10 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/09/25/no-way-norway-brazil-powers-to-a-4-1-win/cb750569-530e-42b3-a1e4-d02f2308c30f/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712054926/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/09/25/no-way-norway-brazil-powers-to-a-4-1-win/cb750569-530e-42b3-a1e4-d02f2308c30f/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The second doubleheader of the matchday ended with South Korea's 1–0 loss to France, with the team's first World Cup goal scored in the 84th minute by [[Marinette Pichon]]; as a result, France and Norway were left tied in second place with the possibility of a three-way tie at the end of the group stage.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKee |first=Sandra |date=September 25, 2003 |title=Pichon, France defeat South Korea, 1–0 |page=E2 |work=The Baltimore Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33787948/pichon_france_defeat_south_korea_10/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712054936/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33787948/pichon_france_defeat_south_korea_10/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Norway rebounded from its loss to Brazil by defeating South Korea 7–1 to qualify for the quarterfinals as the second-placed team in the group. Dagny Mellgren scored twice in the first half and also recorded two assists on goals by [[Solveig Gulbrandsen]] in the fifth minute and [[Marianne Pettersen]] before halftime. Defender [[Brit Sandaune]] scored from a {{convert|30|yd|m|adj=mid}} volley early in the second half and was joined on the score-sheet by [[Linda Ørmen]], who entered the match as a substitute in the 69th minute and scored twice at the end of the match. [[Kim Jin-hee (footballer)|Kim Jin-hee]] earned a consolation goal, her nation's first in a World Cup, from a defensive mistake in the 75th minute.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=September 28, 2003 |title=Norway surges toward the US |page=C1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33788026/norway_surges_toward_the_us/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712060504/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33788026/norway_surges_toward_the_us/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Brazil took the lead against France in its final group stage match in the 58th minute, through a goal from Kátia, but conceded in stoppage time to a finish by Pichon. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, but Brazil finished atop the group standings and advanced to the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKee |first=Sandra |date=September 28, 2003 |title=Brazil wins group despite lapse for 1–1 tie |page=E3 |work=The Baltimore Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33788108/brazil_wins_group_despite_lapse_for_11/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712060507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33788108/brazil_wins_group_despite_lapse_for_11/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B|B1}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B|B2}}
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{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B|B3}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B|B4}}
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{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B|B5}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B|B6}}

===Group C===
{{main|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C}}
{{2003 FIFA Women's World Cup group tables|Group C|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group C included 1995 runners-up [[Germany women's national football team|Germany]], North American runners-up [[Canada women's national soccer team|Canada]]; [[Japan women's national football team|Japan]], who qualified through an inter-continental play-off; and debutants [[Argentina women's national football team|Argentina]].<ref name="NYT-Group"/><ref name="SD-Group"/> In the opening match of the first group doubleheader in [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], [[Christine Sinclair]] scored her first Women's World Cup goal in the fourth minute from a header to give Canada the lead. Germany then equalized from a penalty kick before halftime, awarded for a handball, and completed a 4–1 comeback victory with three goals in the second half by Birgit Prinz and substitute [[Kerstin Garefrekes]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Korobanik |first=John |date=September 21, 2003 |title=Dud in opener |page=C1 |work=[[Edmonton Journal]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33705949/dud_in_opener/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709204417/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33705949/dud_in_opener/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The second match in Columbus ended with Argentina being defeated 6–0 by Japan, with two goals from [[Homare Sawa]] and a hat-trick scored by [[Mio Otani]] in an eight-minute span in the second half. Argentina lost forward [[Natalia Gatti]] to a red card in the 39th minute, opening the team to attacks form the Japanese.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baptist |first=Bob |date=September 21, 2003 |title=Japanese take advantage of situation |page=E15 |work=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref>

The second matchday's doubleheader, also played in Columbus, ended with 3–0 victories for Germany over Japan and Canada over Argentina.<ref name="Calgary-Fate">{{cite news |last=Korobanik |first=John |date=September 25, 2003 |title=Single match to decide Canada's soccer fate |page=D1 |work=[[Calgary Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33788292/single_match_to_decide_canadas_soccer/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712064244/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33788292/single_match_to_decide_canadas_soccer/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Germany took advantage of their taller players and physicality to shutout Japan, liming them to a handful of chances. [[Sandra Minnert]] scored on a rebound from a corner kick in the 23rd minute and was followed by a pair of goals from forward [[Birgit Prinz]] in the 36th and 66th minute, both from overturned balls in the midfield.<ref>{{cite news |last=Merz |first=Craig |date=September 25, 2003 |title=Germans don't waste size advantage while raising record to 2–0 |page=D4 |work=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref> Canada earned its first World Cup victory in its eighth match with a pair of goals scored by [[Christine Latham]], who also won a penalty in the 19th minute that opened the scoring against Argentina.<ref>{{cite news |last=Merz |first=Craig |date=September 25, 2003 |title=Canadians chalk up first win in Women's World Cup play |page=D4 |work=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref> The victory put Canada level on points with Japan for second place in the group, setting up a winner-take-all scenario in their match against each other.<ref name="Calgary-Fate"/>

Canada earned its first quarterfinal berth by defeating Japan 3–1 in their final group stage match, despite conceding to Japan's star midfielder [[Homare Sawa]] in the 20th minute. Latham equalized with her chipped shot in the 36th minute and Canada took the lead after halftime with a header by Christine Sinclair and a strike by [[Kara Lang]] in the 72nd minute.<ref>{{cite news |last=Korobanik |first=John |date=September 28, 2003 |title=Canada finds its game just in time |page=C1 |work=Edmonton Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33788601/canada_finds_its_game_just_in_time/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712070421/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33788601/canada_finds_its_game_just_in_time/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Germany finished atop the group with three wins following their 6–1 [[blowout (sports)|rout]] of Argentina, including four goals scored in the first half. The team lost defender [[Steffi Jones]] to a knee injury in the second half and conceded a consolation goal to Argentina before scoring twice at the end of the match to extend their lead.<ref>{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Glenn P. |date=September 28, 2003 |title=Germany prevails, 6–1, but defender Jones out |page=E3 |work=The Baltimore Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31776219/germany_prevails_61_but_defender/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712070421/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31776219/germany_prevails_61_but_defender/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C1}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C2}}
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{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C3}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C4}}
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{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C5}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C6}}

===Group D===
{{main|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D}}
{{2003 FIFA Women's World Cup group tables|Group D|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Original hosts and 1999 runners-up China were seeded into Group D, where they would play alongside African runners-up [[Ghana women's national football team|Ghana]], Oceania champions [[Australia women's national football team|Australia]], and 1999 quarter-finalist [[Russia women's national football team|Russia]].<ref name="NYT-Group"/> Australia continued their Women's World Cup winless streak by losing 2–1 to Russia in the opening match, despite taking a 1–0 lead in the 38th minute through a goal from [[Kelly Golebiowski]]. Russia tied the match a minute later with an [[own goal]] from [[Dianne Alagich]] and [[Elena Fomina]] scored their second in the 89th minute with a strike from the edge of the penalty area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=September 22, 2003 |title=Russia Wins With Goal in Waning Minutes |page=D14 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33723295/russia_wins_with_goal_in_waning_minutes/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=July 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710063336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33723295/russia_wins_with_goal_in_waning_minutes/ |url-status=live}}</ref> China, considered the favorites to  top the group, won 1–0 in their opener against Ghana with a goal by [[Sun Wen (footballer)|Sun Wen]], who was the top goalscorer in the 1999 World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dillman |first=Lisa |date=September 22, 2003 |title=Sun Has a Solid Body of Work |page=D14 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33722458/sun_has_a_solid_body_of_work/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=July 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710063335/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33722458/sun_has_a_solid_body_of_work/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Russia secured its quarterfinal berth by defeating Ghana 3–0 in their second match, which took them to first place in the group. They opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a free kick taken by [[Marina Saenko]], which was followed by a pair of close-range shots in the second half from [[Natalia Barbashina]] and [[Olga Letyushova]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Leon Moore |first=David |date=September 26, 2003 |title=Russians will be team to watch in quarterfinals |page=C9 |work=USA Today}}</ref> Group favorites China had unexpectedly conceded to Australia in the first half of their match, with a goal in the 28th minute for midfielder [[Heather Garriock]], that would have snapped a winless World Cup record for the Matildas. A potential equalizer in the first half from Sun Wen was saved off the line by [[Cheryl Salisbury]], but [[Bai Jie]] was able to score shortly after halftime to earn a draw for China and prevent an upset victory for Australia.<ref>{{cite news |last=Robledo |first=Fred J. |date=September 26, 2003 |title=Group D: Matildas nearly waltz off with huge upset |page=S7 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/GROUP+D%3a+MATILDAS+NEARLY+WALTZ+OFF+WITH+HUGE+UPSET+CHINA+MUST+RALLY...-a0108354857 |via=[[The Free Library]] |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712193431/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/GROUP%2BD:%2BMATILDAS%2BNEARLY%2BWALTZ%2BOFF%2BWITH%2BHUGE%2BUPSET%2BCHINA%2BMUST%2BRALLY...-a0108354857 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Australia continued its winless streak in World Cup play after losing 2–1 in its final group stage match against Ghana, who had also been eliminated from advancing to the quarterfinals. Ghanaian striker [[Alberta Sackey]], who had been named Africa's best female player, scored twice within five minutes near the end of the first half—once from long range and the other from a rebound on a saved shot.<ref name="LAT-GroupD">{{cite news |last=Dillman |first=Lisa |date=September 29, 2003 |title=China Advances Easily |page=D14 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33803335/china_advances_easily/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712200442/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33803335/china_advances_easily/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Heather Garriock cut the lead in the 61st minute with her goal and Australia pressed for an equalizer, but were unable to score and finished at the bottom of the group.<ref>{{cite news |last=Buker |first=Paul |date=September 29, 2003 |title=Ghana wins its farewell waltz |page=E1 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> China qualified for the quarterfinals through Australia's elimination and won 1–0 against Russia to finish atop the group standings.<ref name="LAT-GroupD"/> Bai Jie scored the lone goal of the match in the 16th minute, despite China's 18 shots—of which seven were saved by Russian goalkeeper [[Alla Volkova]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Nolen |first=John |date=September 29, 2003 |title=China wins despite night of questions |page=E15 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref>

{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D1}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D2}}
----
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D3}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D4}}
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{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D5}}
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D6}}

==Knockout stage==
{{Main|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage}}

===Bracket===
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|Bracket}}

===Quarter-finals===

The first quarterfinal doubleheader was played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with the ordering of the matches swapped to allow a later kickoff for the U.S. match.<ref>{{cite press release |date=September 29, 2003 |title=Scheduling reversed for matches 25 & 26 to be played in Boston |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/scheduling-reversed-for-matches-played-boston-35657 |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713024943/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/scheduling-reversed-for-matches-played-boston-35657 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Sweden took the lead against Brazil in the first match of the night, with a header by Victoria Svensson in the 23rd minute in the run of play. A minute before halftime, Marta drew and scored an equalizing penalty for Brazil after being tripped by goalkeeper [[Sofia Lundgren]], who was starting in place of [[Caroline Jönsson]] because of her drug treatment for stomach cramps.<ref name="LATimes-SWE-BRA">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=October 2, 2003 |title=Sweden Composes a Victory |page=D14 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33815927/sweden_composes_a_victory/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713024942/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33815927/sweden_composes_a_victory/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Malin Andersson]] scored the winning goal for Sweden in the 53rd minute from a {{convert|24|yd|m|adj=mid}} free kick as Sweden resisted several chances from Brazil and a controversial uncalled foul in the penalty area during stoppage time to win 2–1.<ref name="LATimes-SWE-BRA"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 2, 2003 |title=Sweden edges Brazil |page=D12 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31743192/sweden_edges_brazil/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713024941/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31743192/sweden_edges_brazil/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The United States played Norway in their quarterfinal match-up, which pitted two of the tournament favorites and ended in a 1–0 victory for the hosts. Abby Wambach scored in the 24th minute from a header off Cat Reddick's free kick from {{convert|40|yd|m}} while also creating other chances to score to no avail.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bickelhaupt |first=Susan |date=October 2, 2003 |title=Wambach gobbled up the competition |page=D12 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33819071/wambach_gobbled_up_the_competition/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713050055/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33819071/wambach_gobbled_up_the_competition/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. failed to extend their lead in the 68th minute, with a penalty kick taken by Mia Hamm that was blocked by goalkeeper [[Bente Nordby]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=October 2, 2003 |title=Wambach's Goal Sends U.S. to Semis |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/02/sports/soccer-wambach-s-goal-sends-us-to-semis.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713050053/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/02/sports/soccer-wambach-s-goal-sends-us-to-semis.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The second doubleheader was played between teams from Groups C and D at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon, which would also host the semifinals. Germany advanced to the semifinals with a 7–1 defeat of Russia, who matched [[Chinese Taipei women's national football team|Chinese Taipei]] in conceding the most goals in a Women's World Cup quarterfinal.<ref name="LATimes-GER-RUS">{{cite news |last=Harvey |first=Randy |date=October 3, 2003 |title=Germany Striking in Rout of Russia |page=D13 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33819648/germany_striking_in_rout_of_russia/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713054231/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33819648/germany_striking_in_rout_of_russia/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Germans led 1–0 at halftime, with a goal by [[Martina Müller (footballer)|Martina Müller]] in the 25th minute, but scored three times within a five-minute span to open the second half after breaking down the Russian defense. After conceding a consolation goal to [[Elena Danilova]] in the 70th minute, Germany scored three times in the final ten minutes, including a pair from Brigit Prinz and a second for [[Kerstin Garefrekes]], to close out the match.<ref name="LATimes-GER-RUS"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Blue |first=Molly |date=October 3, 2003 |title=Women's World Cup: Germany joins the party |page=D1 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> Canada then achieved an upset defeat of China in their quarterfinal match, taking an early lead in the seventh minute through a header from [[Charmaine Hooper]] and maintaining a shutout to win 1–0 despite several scoring chances for the Chinese.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nolen |first=John |date=October 3, 2003 |title=Woah, Canada pulls upset |page=D1 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref>

{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|QF1}}
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{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|QF2}}
----
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|QF3}}
----
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|QF4}}

===Semi-finals===

Germany advanced to their second Women's World Cup final by defeating the United States 3–0 in a major upset of the defending champions in Portland, only their second loss in a Women's World Cup.<ref name="SF-Germany">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Michelle |date=October 6, 2003 |title=Stunner: U.S. KO'd in semifinal |page=C1 |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Stunner-U-S-KO-d-in-semifinal-Germany-pulls-2554383.php |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |access-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714055744/https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Stunner-U-S-KO-d-in-semifinal-Germany-pulls-2554383.php |url-status=live}}</ref> Germany took the lead in the 15th minute through a header by Kerstin Garefrekes and held onto the shutout, despite the U.S. switching formations to produce attacking chances that often required saves from goalkeeper [[Silke Rottenberg]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 6, 2003 |title=US women are out of business |page=D1 |url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2003/10/06/us_women_are_out_of_business/ |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714055742/http://archive.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2003/10/06/us_women_are_out_of_business/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The German defense remained resilient to the long-ball play of the United States, which increased in intensity and frequency during the second half—producing six shots on target.<ref name="SF-Germany"/> Maren Meinert and Brigit Prinz scored a pair of goals in stoppage time, taking advantage of the vulnerable American defense with their counterattacks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=October 6, 2003 |title=Unyielding Germany Upends United States |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/06/sports/soccer-unyielding-germany-upends-united-states.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714055743/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/06/sports/soccer-unyielding-germany-upends-united-states.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The second semifinal fixture, between Canada and Sweden, remained scoreless through the end of the first hour of play despite chances created by Canadian fullback–forward Charmaine Hooper.<ref name="OR-Canada">{{cite news |last=Blue |first=Molly |date=October 6, 2003 |title=Women's World Cup: Sweden's late goals break through Canada |page=E12 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> Canada were awarded a free kick from {{convert|35|yd|m}} in the 64th minute, which was shot towards goal by [[Kara Lang]] and spun off the hands of Jönsson as she attempted to make the save. Sweden made three substitutions to bring on attacking players and won a free kick in the 79th minute that was quickly taken by Victoria Svensson and passed to [[Malin Moström]], who scored the equalizer.<ref name="OR-Canada"/> Substitute forward [[Josefine Öqvist]] scored the winning goal for Sweden six minutes later, finishing a rebound off a shot by Hanna Ljungberg that was saved by goalkeeper [[Taryn Swiatek]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=October 6, 2003 |title=Close Just Doesn't Count for Canada |page=D11 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31743302/close_just_doesnt_count_for_canada/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714055744/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31743302/close_just_doesnt_count_for_canada/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|SF1}}
----
{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|SF2}}

===Third place play-off===

The third-place play-off was played on the day before the final at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, between the United States and their continental rivals Canada. The U.S. retained its mix of veteran and youth players who played in the semifinals and controlled play for most of the match, taking the lead in the 22nd minute through a long throw-in by Abby Wambach that was volleyed into the goal by [[Kristine Lilly]]. Christine Sinclair equalized for Canada within 16 minutes, but the U.S. kept pressing in the second half and re-took the lead in the 51st minute through a header by [[Shannon Boxx]] from a corner kick.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 12, 2003 |title=US finds consolation in third |page=C3 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33851022/us_finds_consolation_in_third/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714070659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33851022/us_finds_consolation_in_third/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Tiffeny Milbrett, who was substituted in for [[Cindy Parlow]] after she sustained a concussion before halftime, then scored the team's final goal of the tournament in the 80th minute by finishing a rebound off an earlier shot that was blocked at the goal line.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=October 12, 2003 |title=U.S. Is a Shoe-in for Bronze |page=D4 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33851617/us_is_a_shoein_for_bronze/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714070700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33851617/us_is_a_shoein_for_bronze/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|TPP}}

===Final===
{{Main|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup final}}

Germany defeated Sweden in the Women's World Cup final to earn their first world championship and become the first country to win both the men's and women's tournament, as well as the first to win with a female manager.<ref name="NYT-Final">{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=October 13, 2003 |title=Golden Goal Proves Magical as Germany Captures Women's World Cup |page=D12 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/13/sports/soccer-golden-goal-proves-magical-as-germany-captures-women-s-world-cup.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617215634/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/13/sports/soccer-golden-goal-proves-magical-as-germany-captures-women-s-world-cup.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In a rematch of the [[UEFA Women's Euro 2001]] final, Sweden took the lead before halftime on a shot by Hanna Ljungberg from {{convert|15|yd|m}}. Germany responded with an equalizing goal in the first minute of the second half, with Maren Meinert scoring in the penalty area on a rebound off goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson. The match remained tied after regulation time and was decided by a [[golden goal]] scored in the 98th minute by substitute defender [[Nia Künzer]], who headed in a shot from a free kick taken by [[Renate Lingor]].<ref name="NYT-Final"/>

{{#lst:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup final|Final}}

==Awards==
{{See also|FIFA Women's World Cup awards}}

German striker Birgit Prinz was awarded the Golden Ball for her play in the tournament and the Golden Shoe, having scored seven goals. She was later named the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year for 2003, 2004, and 2005.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 24, 2011 |title=Landmarks and legends |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/landmarks-and-legends-1460492 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712214027/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/landmarks-and-legends-1460492 |url-status=live}}</ref> Germany's [[Kerstin Garefrekes]] also finished the tournament with four goals and no assists, [[Kátia Cilene Teixeira|Kátia]] won the Bronze Shoe by having played fewer minutes (only 360, compared to the 409 minutes of Garefrekes).<ref>{{harvp|FIFA Technical Study Group|2003|page=84}}</ref>

FIFA.com shortlisted six teams, the four semi-finalist teams and two other sides chosen by FIFA (Brazil and China),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/fifaworldcup-com-users-vote-germany-most-entertaining-team-89104 |title=FIFAworldcup.com users vote Germany Most Entertaining Team |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=October 13, 2003 |access-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717132736/https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/fifaworldcup-com-users-vote-germany-most-entertaining-team-89104 |url-status=dead}}</ref> for users to vote on as the tournaments' most entertaining, with the poll closing on October 10, 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/met/result.html |title=Most Entertaining Team |website=FIFA |access-date=July 17, 2019 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708014518/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/met/result.html |archive-date=July 8, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/031012/1/dk7.html |title=FIFAworldcup.com users vote Germany Most Entertaining Team |website=FIFA |date=October 12, 2003 |access-date=July 17, 2019 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620090234/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/031012/1/dk7.html |archive-date=June 20, 2006}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!style="width:33%"|Golden Ball
!style="width:33%"|Silver Ball
!style="width:33%"|Bronze Ball
|-
|{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Birgit Prinz]]
|{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Victoria Sandell Svensson|Victoria Svensson]]
|{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Maren Meinert]]
|-
!Golden Shoe
!Silver Shoe
!Bronze Shoe
|-
|{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Birgit Prinz]]
|{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Maren Meinert]]
|{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Kátia Cilene Teixeira|Kátia]]
|-
|7 goals, 5 assists<br />548 minutes played
|4 goals, 7 assists<br />548 minutes played
|4 goals, 0 assists<br />360 minutes played
|-
!colspan="3"|Best Goalkeeper
|-
|colspan="3"|{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Silke Rottenberg]]
|-
!colspan="3"|FIFA Fair Play Award
|-
|colspan="3"|{{fbw|CHN}}
|-
!colspan="3"|Most Entertaining Team
|-
|colspan="3"|{{fbw|GER}}
|}

===All-Star Team===
The tournament's sixteen-member [[all-star]] team, including eleven starters and five substitutes, was selected by the FIFA Technical Study Group and announced on October 8, 2003, by President [[Joseph Blatter]]. Germany had five members named to the starting lineup, while runners-up Sweden had two starters and one substitute.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 8, 2003 |title=FIFA President announces MasterCard All-Star Team |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/fifa-president-announces-mastercard-all-star-team-34250 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713063338/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/fifa-president-announces-mastercard-all-star-team-34250 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Zimmerman |first=Matt |date=October 9, 2003 |title=World Cup Notebook: All-stars include three U.S. players |page=B2 |work=[[Long Beach Press-Telegram]]}}</ref> Several members of the All-Star Team were later named to the [[World XI|FIFA Women's All Star Team]] that played against Germany on May 20, 2004, for the centennial anniversary of FIFA.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 7, 2004 |title=FIFA Women's All Star Team revealed |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/fifa-women-all-star-team-revealed-91235 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713063346/https://www.fifa.com/news/fifa-women-all-star-team-revealed-91235 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto"
|-
! Goalkeepers
! Defenders
! Midfielders
! Forwards
|-
| align=left valign=top |
{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Silke Rottenberg]]
| align=left valign=top |
{{fbwicon|CHN}} [[Wang Liping (footballer)|Wang Liping]]<br />
{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Joy Fawcett]]<br />
{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Charmaine Hooper]]<br />
{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Sandra Minnert]]
| align=left valign=top |
{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Bettina Wiegmann]]<br />
{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Malin Moström]]<br />
{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Shannon Boxx]]<br />
{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Maren Meinert]]
| align=left valign=top |
{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Birgit Prinz]]<br />
{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Victoria Sandell Svensson|Victoria Svensson]]
|-
| colspan=4 align=center | Substitutes
|-
| align=left valign=top |
{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Caroline Jönsson]]
| align=left valign=top |
| align=left valign=top |
{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Solveig Gulbrandsen]]<br />
{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]]
| align=left valign=top |
{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Mia Hamm]]<br />
{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Dagny Mellgren]]
|}

The "FANtasy All-Star Team", which was sponsored by [[Mastercard|MasterCard]], featured eleven players decided by a poll on FIFA.com.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/allstars/fan.html |title=FANtasy All-Star Team Results |publisher=[[FIFA]] |year=2003 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626061148/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/allstars/fan.html |archive-date=June 26, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/y=2003/m=10/news=fifa-and-mastercard-select-the-mastercard-all-star-team-from-the-top-s-32464.html |title=FIFA and MasterCard select the MasterCard All-Star Team from the Top Stars of the FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=October 8, 2003 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301105814/https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/fifa-and-mastercard-select-the-mastercard-all-star-team-from-the-top-s-32464 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto"
|-
! style="width:25%;" | Goalkeeper
! style="width:25%;" | Defenders
! style="width:25%;" | Midfielders
! style="width:25%;" | Forwards
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| {{fbwicon|USA}} [[Briana Scurry]]
| {{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Juliana Cabral|Juliana]]<br />{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Charmaine Hooper]]<br />{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Sharolta Nonen]]<br />{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Sandra Minnert]]
| {{fbwicon|GER}} [[Bettina Wiegmann]]<br />{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Julie Foudy]]<br />{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Kristine Lilly]]
| {{fbwicon|GER}} [[Maren Meinert]]<br />{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Birgit Prinz]]<br />{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Mia Hamm]]
|}

==Statistics==

===Goalscorers===
{{Goalscorers
|goals=107 |matches=32
|further=[[Birgit Prinz]] of Germany won the [[FIFA Women's World Cup awards#Golden Boot|Golden Shoe]] award for scoring seven goals.<ref name="FIFA-102">{{harvp|FIFA Technical Study Group|2003|page=102}}</ref>
|source=FIFA Technical Report<ref name="FIFA-102"/>

|7 goals=
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Birgit Prinz]]

|4 goals=
*{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Kátia Cilene Teixeira|Kátia]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Kerstin Garefrekes]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Maren Meinert]]

|3 goals=
*{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Christine Latham]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Christine Sinclair]]
*{{fbwicon|JPN}} [[Mio Otani]]
*{{fbwicon|JPN}} [[Homare Sawa]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Dagny Mellgren]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Hanna Ljungberg]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Victoria Sandell Svensson|Victoria Svensson]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Abby Wambach]]

|2 goals=
*{{fbwicon|AUS}} [[Heather Garriock]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Charmaine Hooper]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Kara Lang]]
*{{fbwicon|CHN}} [[Bai Jie]]
*{{fbwicon|FRA|1974}} [[Marinette Pichon]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Sandra Minnert]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Martina Müller (footballer)|Martina Müller]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Bettina Wiegmann]]
*{{fbwicon|GHA}} [[Alberta Sackey]]
*{{fbwicon|PRK}} [[Jin Pyol-hui]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Linda Ørmen]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Marianne Pettersen]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Malin Moström]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Shannon Boxx]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Mia Hamm]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Kristine Lilly]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Cindy Parlow Cone|Cindy Parlow]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Cat Whitehill|Cat Reddick]]

|1 goal=
*{{fbwicon|ARG}} [[Yanina Gaitán]]
*{{fbwicon|AUS}} [[Kelly Golebiowski]]
*{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Daniela Alves Lima|Daniela]]
*{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Rosana dos Santos Augusto|Rosana]]
*{{fbwicon|CHN}} [[Sun Wen (footballer)|Sun Wen]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Stefanie Gottschlich]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Nia Künzer]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Conny Pohlers]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Pia Wunderlich]]
*{{fbwicon|JPN}} [[Emi Yamamoto]]
*{{fbwicon|PRK}} [[Ri Un-gyong]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Solveig Gulbrandsen]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Anita Rapp]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Brit Sandaune]]
*{{fbwicon|RUS}} [[Natalia Barbashina]]
*{{fbwicon|RUS}} [[Elena Danilova]]
*{{fbwicon|RUS}} [[Elena Fomina]]
*{{fbwicon|RUS}} [[Olga Letyushova]]
*{{fbwicon|RUS}} [[Marina Saenko]]
*{{fbwicon|KOR|1997}} [[Kim Jin-hee (footballer)|Kim Jin-hee]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Malin Andersson]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Josefine Öqvist]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Julie Foudy]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Tiffeny Milbrett]]

|1 own goal=
*{{fbwicon|AUS}} [[Dianne Alagich]] (against Russia)
}}

===Assists===
{{Goalscorers
|assists=yes
|further=[[Maren Meinert]] of Germany had the most assists at the tournament, contributing to seven goals.
|source=FIFA Technical Report<ref name="FIFA-102"/>

|7 assists=
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Maren Meinert]]

|5 assists=
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Birgit Prinz]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Mia Hamm]]

|4 assists=
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Victoria Sandell Svensson|Victoria Svensson]]

|2 assists=
*{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Daniela Alves Lima|Daniela]]
*{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Maycon (footballer, born 1977)|Maycon]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Stefanie Gottschlich]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Renate Lingor]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Kerstin Stegemann]]
*{{fbwicon|GER}} [[Bettina Wiegmann]]
*{{fbwicon|JPN}} [[Yayoi Kobayashi]]
*{{fbwicon|JPN}} [[Emi Yamamoto]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Brit Sandaune]]
*{{fbwicon|RUS}} [[Galina Komarova]]

|1 assist=
*{{fbwicon|ARG}} [[Andrea Gonsebate]]
*{{fbwicon|AUS}} [[Kelly Golebiowski]]
*{{fbwicon|AUS}} [[Danielle Small]]
*{{fbwicon|BRA}} [[Formiga (footballer, born 1978)|Formiga]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Kristina Kiss]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Kara Lang]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Christine Latham]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Diana Matheson]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Christine Sinclair]]
*{{fbwicon|CAN}} [[Brittany Baxter|Brittany Timko]]
*{{fbwicon|CHN}} [[Bai Jie]]
*{{fbwicon|CHN}} [[Sun Wen (footballer)|Sun Wen]]
*{{fbwicon|CHN}} [[Zhang Ouying]]
*{{fbwicon|FRA|1974}} [[Peggy Provost]]
*{{fbwicon|FRA|1974}} [[Élodie Woock]]
*{{fbwicon|JPN}} [[Naoko Kawakami]]
*{{fbwicon|JPN}} [[Mio Otani]]
*{{fbwicon|JPN}} [[Homare Sawa]]
*{{fbwicon|PRK}} [[Jin Pyol-hui]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Ingrid Camilla Fosse Sæthre]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Lise Klaveness]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Unni Lehn]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Dagny Mellgren]]
*{{fbwicon|NOR}} [[Marianne Pettersen]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Malin Andersson]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Hanna Ljungberg]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Malin Moström]]
*{{fbwicon|SWE}} [[Therese Sjögran]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Julie Foudy]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Kristine Lilly]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Shannon MacMillan]]
*{{fbwicon|USA}} [[Cat Whitehill|Cat Reddick]]
}}

===Tournament ranking===
{{small|Per statistical convention in soccer, matches decided in [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra time]] are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-outs]] are counted as draws.}}
{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
|update=complete |source=FIFA Technical Report<ref>{{harvp|FIFA Technical Study Group|2003|page=92}}</ref>
|status_USA=H

<!--Team ranking-->
|team1=GER |team2=SWE |team3=USA |team4=CAN |team5=BRA |team6=CHN |team7=NOR |team8=RUS |team9=FRA |team10=JPN |team11=PRK |team12=GHA |team13=AUS |team14=KOR |team15=NGA |team16=ARG

<!--Team results-->
|win_ARG=0 |draw_ARG=0 |loss_ARG=3 |gf_ARG=1 |ga_ARG=15
|win_AUS=0 |draw_AUS=1 |loss_AUS=2 |gf_AUS=3 |ga_AUS=5
|win_BRA=2 |draw_BRA=1 |loss_BRA=1 |gf_BRA=9 |ga_BRA=4
|win_CAN=3 |draw_CAN=0 |loss_CAN=3 |gf_CAN=10|ga_CAN=10
|win_CHN=2 |draw_CHN=1 |loss_CHN=1 |gf_CHN=3 |ga_CHN=2
|win_FRA=1 |draw_FRA=1 |loss_FRA=1 |gf_FRA=2 |ga_FRA=3
|win_GER=6 |draw_GER=0 |loss_GER=0 |gf_GER=25|ga_GER=4
|win_GHA=1 |draw_GHA=0 |loss_GHA=2 |gf_GHA=2 |ga_GHA=5
|win_JPN=1 |draw_JPN=0 |loss_JPN=2 |gf_JPN=7 |ga_JPN=6
|win_NGA=0 |draw_NGA=0 |loss_NGA=3 |gf_NGA=0 |ga_NGA=11
|win_PRK=1 |draw_PRK=0 |loss_PRK=2 |gf_PRK=3 |ga_PRK=4
|win_NOR=2 |draw_NOR=0 |loss_NOR=2 |gf_NOR=10|ga_NOR=6
|win_RUS=2 |draw_RUS=0 |loss_RUS=2 |gf_RUS=6 |ga_RUS=9
|win_KOR=0 |draw_KOR=0 |loss_KOR=3 |gf_KOR=1 |ga_KOR=11
|win_SWE=4 |draw_SWE=0 |loss_SWE=2 |gf_SWE=10|ga_SWE=7
|win_USA=5 |draw_USA=0 |loss_USA=1 |gf_USA=15|ga_USA=5

<!--Team definitions-->
|name_ARG={{fbw|ARG}}
|name_AUS={{fbw|AUS}}
|name_BRA={{fbw|BRA}}
|name_CAN={{fbw|CAN}}
|name_CHN={{fbw|CHN}}
|name_FRA={{fbw|FRA|1974}}
|name_GER={{fbw|GER}}
|name_GHA={{fbw|GHA}}
|name_JPN={{fbw|JPN}}
|name_NGA={{fbw|NGA}}
|name_PRK={{fbw|PRK}}
|name_NOR={{fbw|NOR}}
|name_RUS={{fbw|RUS}}
|name_KOR={{fbw|KOR|1997}}
|name_SWE={{fbw|SWE}}
|name_USA={{fbw|USA}}

<!--Groups-->
|show_groups=T
|group_ARG=[[#Group C|C]]
|group_AUS=[[#Group D|D]]
|group_BRA=[[#Group B|B]]
|group_CAN=[[#Group C|C]]
|group_CHN=[[#Group D|D]]
|group_FRA=[[#Group B|B]]
|group_GER=[[#Group C|C]]
|group_GHA=[[#Group D|D]]
|group_JPN=[[#Group C|C]]
|group_NGA=[[#Group A|A]]
|group_PRK=[[#Group A|A]]
|group_NOR=[[#Group B|B]]
|group_RUS=[[#Group D|D]]
|group_KOR=[[#Group B|B]]
|group_SWE=[[#Group A|A]]
|group_USA=[[#Group A|A]]

<!--Final result column definitions-->
|res_col_header=Final result
|col_1st=#FFD700 |text_1st=Champions
|col_2nd=#C0C0C0 |text_2nd=Runners-up
|col_3rd=#CD7F32 |text_3rd=Third place
|text_4th=Fourth place
|text_QF={{nowrap|Eliminated in<br/>[[#Quarter-finals|quarter-finals]]}}
|text_GS=Eliminated in<br/>[[#Group stage|group stage]]
|split4=yes |split8=yes
|result1=1st |result2=2nd |result3=3rd |result4=4th |result5=QF |result6=QF |result7=QF |result8=QF |result9=GS |result10=GS |result11=GS |result12=GS |result13=GS |result14=GS |result15=GS |result16=GS
}}

== Marketing ==

=== Sponsorships ===

Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Partners of the FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003 |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/sponsor.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813121202/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/sponsor.html |archive-date=13 August 2006 |access-date=12 April 2024 |website=FIFA World Cup}}</ref>

[[Mastercard]] was the presenting partner of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mastercard Extends World Cup Sponsorship to 2006 |url=https://www.sportcal.com/pressreleases/mastercard-extends-world-cup-sponsorship-to-2006/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Sportcal |language=en-US}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Official Partners
!Official Suppliers
!Media Supporters
|-
| style="vertical-align:top" |
* [[Adidas]]
* [[Avaya]]
* [[Bud Light]]
* [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]]
* [[Deutsche Telekom]]
* [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]]
* [[Fujifilm]]
* [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]]
* [[McDonald's]]
* [[Philips]]
* [[Toshiba]]
* [[Yahoo!]]
| style="vertical-align:top;" |
* [[The Home Depot]]
|
* [[Comcast]]
* [[DirecTV]]
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304140635/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/index.html |title=Official website |date=March 4, 2007}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150512203500/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/index.html FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003], FIFA.com
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111226232356/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/technicaldevp/50/08/02/fwwcusa2003-technicalreport%5fneu%5f081010.pdf FIFA Technical Report]

{{2003 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{2003 FIFA Women's World Cup finalists}}
{{2003 FIFA Women's World Cup stadiums}}
{{FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Qualification for the 2004 Summer Olympics Football tournament}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World Cup}}
[[Category:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup| ]]
[[Category:FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments|2003]]
[[Category:International women's association football competitions hosted by the United States|2003]]
[[Category:2003 in women's international association football]]
[[Category:2003 in American women's soccer]]
[[Category:September 2003 sports events in the United States]]
[[Category:October 2003 sports events in the United States]]