Algarve Cup 2021/22

The Algarve Cup was an annual invitational women’s football tournament organized by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Founded in 1994, the event took place until 2022, when it was discontinued. It was held in the Algarve region of Portugal, typically in late February or early March. The tournament was not part of a national league pyramid but served as a high-profile international friendly event. It was often described as a "Mini FIFA Women's World Cup" due to the quality of participating national teams.

The format varied over the years. From 2002 to 2014, 12 teams were divided into three groups of four. After the group stage, a complex placement round determined rankings from 1st to 11th place. In 2015, the format was adjusted to allow the best group winner from Group C to challenge the winners of Groups A and B for the title. The tournament featured a mix of top-tier nations and emerging teams.

The United States was the most successful team with 10 titles, followed by Norway and Sweden with 5 each, and Germany with 4. The final edition in 2022 was won by Sweden, who defeated Italy on penalties. The Algarve Cup was distinct from other international competitions like the UEFA Women's Euro or the FIFA Women's World Cup as it was an invitational friendly tournament rather than a qualifying or championship event. It served as a crucial warm-up for major tournaments, particularly the World Cup.

The tournament was discontinued after 2022, partly due to the introduction of the UEFA Women's Nations League and Portugal's participation in World Cup qualification activities. There is no official website dedicated solely to the tournament anymore, as it is archived on the FPF website.