BACKGROUND: With the growing scientific interest in women`s football it is critical to understand the match demands and fatigue patterns during a top-class women`s competition. METHODS: Physical characteristics and performance of top-class women football matches during the 2019 FIFA Women`s World Cup was investigated from data collected using global positioning system for 21 outfield players during the tournament. RESULTS: Relative total distance (TD; m/min) was moderately lower (P=0.05, ES:0.6) in the final match (96.1±5.0 m/min) compared to the first (104.1±5.9 m/min) match. Performance in relative total high-speed running (THSR; m/min) declined -27.5% (P=0.05) throughout the tournament following peak performance in the third match (M3) (5.3±1.7 m/min). Match performance between halves was reduced -25.4±0.13% (P=0.05, ES:1.2-2.3) across all measures in M3. Relative high-intensity running (HIR; 25.9±3.5 m/min) and THSR (9.8±1.5 m/min) were greater (P=0.05, ES:0.2-0.7) for forwards, while midfielders performed greater (P=0.05, ES:0.6) relative total distance (102.0±5.5 m/min), compared to central defenders (HIR: 16.1±3.7 m/min; THSR: 3.1±1.6 m/min; TD: 92.5±5.7 m/min). Reductions in relative HIR between halves (-10.9%), within the first half (-31.0%), and the start and end of the match (-36.9%) were most pronounced for midfielders (P=0.05, ES:0.6-2.3). Across all matches, relative THSR performance was reduced, with moderate to large differences (P=0.001, ES: 0.7-0.8) observed between halves, within the first half, and throughout the match. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, specific fatigue patterns observed within and between matches throughout the women`s World Cup, may be influenced by playing positions, the rank of the opposition, as well as the stage of the tournament.
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