the 2019 fifa women's world cup was the eighth fifa women's world cup. it was hosted by france and ran from 7 june to 7 july 2019. france won the right to host the event in march 2015; the first time the country hosted the tournament, and the third time in europe. matches are planned for nine cities across france. the format of the tournament is 24 competing teams, including the host nation. the defending champions are the united states. chile made its first appearance at this fifa women's world cup edition, and italy took part in the event for the first time since 1999.