Status inactive Date(s) midyear Country Italy | Genre sporting event Frequency annual Inaugurated 1981 (1981) | |
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The Mundialito (Spanish for "little World Cup"), was a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football (soccer). Held on four occasions in the northern region of Italy since 1984, it was one of the most prestigious women's football events, prior to the advent of the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football.
An edition of the tournament was played in Japan in September 1981. Italy drew 1–1 with Denmark then beat Japan 9–0, while England beat Japan 4–0 but lost 1–0 to Denmark. Japan–Denmark and England–Italy fixtures were not played.
In 1984 and 1985 the teams first played round-robin within a single pool, then a further match to decide the winner and third place. In 1986 and 1988 two groups participated, with the winner of each participating in the final.
The most successful teams were Italy and England with two titles. The 1985 tournament was notable for the international debut of the United States women's national soccer team.
Another more recent international tournament for women's football teams, the Algarve Cup, has also been unofficially known as the Mundialito.