FIFA has revealed that the Women’s World Cup will grow from 32 to 48 teams, commencing with the tournament in 2031.
The FIFA Council unanimously endorsed the enlargement during a virtual meeting on Friday.
The expanded 48-team World Cup will feature a 12-group setup, raising the total number of matches from 64 to 104, thereby prolonging the competition by an additional week.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup, set to take place in Brazil, will consist of 32 teams.
The 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand was the first to include 32 teams, an increase from the 24 in the 2019 tournament hosted by France.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, remarked that this expansion will provide more nations the chance to reap the rewards of advancing women’s football.
“This is not solely about having 16 additional teams competing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup but also about taking progressive steps regarding the women’s game as a whole,” he stated.
“More FIFA member associations will have the opportunity to benefit from the tournament to enhance their women’s football programs from a comprehensive perspective,” he added.
The US is anticipated to be designated host of the 2031 Women’s World Cup as the only contender. The country will host the tournament for the third time after previous events in 1999 and 2003.
The UK stands as the lone bidder for the 2035 tournament. The hosts for the 2031 and 2035 editions have yet to be confirmed.