England’s women’s football team played their 500th senior international match against Iceland in Reykjavik on Saturday, marking a historic milestone for the Lionesses.
The match was part of World Cup qualifying for the 2027 tournament in Brazil
England entered the game having already secured a 1-0 win over Spain at Wembley earlier in the week, putting them in a strong position to qualify automatically from their group. A win against Iceland would further solidify their top position in the qualifying standings, with only the group winners earning direct passage to the World Cup finals.
The FA’s 1921 ban on women’s football was overturned 50 years later
In 1921, the Football Association banned women’s football, declaring it “most unsuitable for females,” which pushed the sport onto park pitches and small venues for five decades. The ban was lifted in 1971, paving the way for the growth that has led to this 500th match milestone.
BBC Sport highlighted 11 defining moments in the Lionesses’ history to mark the occasion
To commemorate reaching 500 games, BBC Sport reviewed key moments in England women’s football history, including their first tournament medal, first major trophy, and first title defence on foreign soil. The past decade has seen particular success under Sarina Wiegman’s leadership, with the team winning back-to-back European Championships.
What was the significance of England’s 500th women’s international match?
England’s 500th senior women’s international match against Iceland marked a historic milestone in the Lionesses’ journey, coming 50 years after the FA’s ban on women’s football was overturned and highlighting the team’s growth from park pitches to World Cup contenders.
How does this match relate to England’s World Cup qualification?
The match against Iceland was part of the 2027 World Cup European qualifiers, with England aiming to secure automatic qualification by winning their group, having already beaten Spain earlier in the week to strengthen their position.