'Copa 71', a documentary film produced by Venus and Serena Williams - alongside two-time FIFA World Cup winner Alex Morgan - about the forgotten Women’s World Cup of 1971 is coming to cinemas in the very near future.

In 1971, Mexico hosted an unofficial Women’s World Cup. The tournament was set up by the Federation of Independent European Female Football, 20 years before the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991, and 50 years after women’s football was banned in England. The Cup featured six teams: Mexico, Denmark, England, France, Italy and Argentina. 

Each nation’s travel, kits, and accommodation was paid for by the tournament’s sponsor - providing access and financial support that was otherwise non-existent for nearly every team present. England boasted one of the youngest rosters to compete at the tournament, with most of the 'Lost Lionesses' being in their early teens.

Mexico 1971 was a huge success and boasted jaw-dropping spectatorship numbers. 80,000 people watched the group match between Mexico and England, numbers that are unheard of for women’s matches even today. Over 110,000 fans packed into Azteca Stadium to witness Denmark defeat the hosts in the final – the highest attendance ever recorded for any women's sporting event.

The 1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico was a major turning point in the history of women’s football. Most football associations that had previously barred women from playing, overturned their bans in 1970 - including England, France and Germany - but the women’s game still lacked funding, infrastructure and support. In 1972, less than a year after the unofficial World Cup, the Lionesses were formed, playing their first match against Scotland that same year. 

The untold story of one of football’s biggest tournaments is finally getting its moment. The film – bolstered with archive footage and nostalgic recollections – features players who took part in the game-changing tournament, as well as contemporary players paying tribute to those who laid the foundation for international women’s football as we know it. 

'Copa 71' arrives in cinemas on March 8, International Women’s Day.