Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm is a retired American soccer player. She was born in Selma, Alabama, in 1972. She was one of the best female soccer players in history. She helped the United States win two Women's World Cups and two Olympic gold medals.

Early Life

Hamm was the youngest player on the U.S. national team when she joined at age 15. She played college soccer at the University of North Carolina. She helped her team win four NCAA championships. She quickly became the star of women's soccer.

Mia Hamm playing soccer against Germany in 1997.
Mia Hamm playing soccer against Germany in 1997. (Johnmaxmena (talk)JOhn Mena / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Hamm won the Women's World Cup in 1991 and 1999. She won Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004. She held the record for most international goals by any player, male or female, for many years. She was named FIFA World Player of the Year twice.

Fun Facts

  • Hamm was the youngest player ever on the U.S. women's national team at age 15.
  • She held the record for most international goals for both men and women until 2013.
  • She started the Mia Hamm Foundation to support bone marrow research.

Did You Know?

The 1999 Women's World Cup final, where Hamm and the U.S. team won, was watched by over 90,000 fans in the stadium and 40 million on TV. It was a huge moment for women's sports.