The world football governing body, FIFA, has officially approved the expansion of the Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, starting from the 2031 edition. This decision was made during a virtual meeting of the FIFA Council on Friday.
The expanded tournament will follow a new 12-group format, increasing the number of matches from 64 to 104 and extending the tournament duration by one week. This is the same format that will be used in the 2026 Men’s World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the expansion is part of a broader effort to grow women’s football globally and offer more opportunities to countries that have been traditionally underrepresented in international football.
“This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup but taking the next steps in relation to the women’s game in general,” Infantino stated. “More FIFA member associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their women’s football structures from a holistic point of view.”
The 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted by Brazil, will still feature 32 teams as in the 2023 edition co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The 2023 tournament marked the first time the competition had 32 teams, up from 24 in 2019.
While there have been concerns that increasing the number of participating nations could lead to more one-sided matches, Infantino pointed out that the 2023 edition proved otherwise. “The Women’s World Cup 2023, the first in which teams from all confederations won at least one game and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stage, set a new standard for global competitiveness,” he added.
The United States is currently the only country to have submitted a bid to host the 2031 tournament, which would make it the third time it has hosted the Women’s World Cup, having done so previously in 1999 and 2003. The United Kingdom is the only confirmed bidder for the 2035 edition. Both bids still require formal ratification by FIFA.
The decision to expand the tournament is seen as a major win for developing nations seeking a place on the world stage. It also reflects the rising popularity of women’s football worldwide, especially following the record-breaking viewership and attendance seen during the 2023 tournament.
Nigeria, which has been a regular feature at the Women’s World Cup, is expected to benefit from the expansion, as more African teams could now qualify. The new format may also boost funding and attention for women’s football at grassroots and national levels across the continent.
With this move, FIFA continues its efforts to promote gender equality and build a stronger platform for female athletes globally.
