Starting with the 2031 Edition, FIFA Women's World Cup Will Expand to Include 48 Teams
The FIFA Women's World Cup is set to grow from 32 to 48 teams, aligning with the men's competition, starting with the 2031 edition, as announced by the governing body of international football on Friday. The FIFA Council reached a unanimous...
TroibNews 
The FIFA Women's World Cup is set to grow from 32 to 48 teams, aligning with the men's competition, starting with the 2031 edition, as announced by the governing body of international football on Friday.
The FIFA Council reached a unanimous decision to expand the tournament "given the remarkable recent strides made by women's football across the world," according to the organization.
The new 48-team format will feature 12 groups and will increase the total matches from 64 to 104, extending the tournament by an additional week, FIFA specified.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the impact of this expansion, citing the success of the 2023 Women's World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, where Spain emerged as the champion.
"The FIFA 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, among many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness," Infantino remarked. "This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally."
The upcoming 2027 tournament in Brazil, which will mark the 10th edition of the women's event, will continue with 32 teams.
FIFA has not yet finalized the host nations for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments. The 2031 World Cup is anticipated to occur in the United States, the only candidate so far, while the United Kingdom, which was home to the finalists of the 2023 tournament, is vying to host the 2035 edition.
The men's World Cup will also expand to 48 teams for the first time in the 2026 tournament, which is set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
The FIFA Council reached a unanimous decision to expand the tournament "given the remarkable recent strides made by women's football across the world," according to the organization.
The new 48-team format will feature 12 groups and will increase the total matches from 64 to 104, extending the tournament by an additional week, FIFA specified.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the impact of this expansion, citing the success of the 2023 Women's World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, where Spain emerged as the champion.
"The FIFA 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, among many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness," Infantino remarked. "This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally."
The upcoming 2027 tournament in Brazil, which will mark the 10th edition of the women's event, will continue with 32 teams.
FIFA has not yet finalized the host nations for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments. The 2031 World Cup is anticipated to occur in the United States, the only candidate so far, while the United Kingdom, which was home to the finalists of the 2023 tournament, is vying to host the 2035 edition.
The men's World Cup will also expand to 48 teams for the first time in the 2026 tournament, which is set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Interested in more international Sports news? Visit TROIB Sports
