 Complete the following phrase:  The 1999 FIFA Womens World Cup was the third edition of the FIFA Womens World Cup, the international womens championship created by FIFA following several precursor tournaments that were organized to test its feasibility. International womens 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 Womens World Invitational Tournament. A FIFA-organized womens tournament was hosted by China in 1988 and was followed by the announcement of the first 