Expansion of FIFA Women's World Cup to Include 48 Teams Beginning in 2031

Let's Talk Football:

The world of football is ready to shake things up, and the FIFA Council is leading the charge! They've made a bold move to enlarge the Women's World Cup, citing the game's remarkable global progress as the reason.

Starting with the 2031 tournament, we'll see 48 teams battling it out on the pitch, up from the current 32. This expansion not only adds a new tier of competition but also sets the stage for more FIFA Member Associations to develop their women's football structures.

The new tournament format will incorporate a 12-group system, increasing the number of matches from 64 to 104 and extending the duration by one week. This shift promises more opportunities for countries to showcase their talent on a global stage.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, praising the decision, highlighted the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as a key catalyst. The tournament, won by Spain, marked numerous records, including every confederation winning at least one game and five confederations advancing to the knockout stage.

The 2027 tournament in Brazil will continue with the 32-team format. fixtures for the 2031 and 2035 editions are still being ironed out, with the U.S. and United Kingdom throwing their hats into the ring. The 2031 event is expected to take place in the U.S., while England could host the 2035 tournament, alongside fellow 2023 finalists England.

The men's tournament is also on the incline, with the World Cup in 2026 set to host 48 teams, similar to the revamped women's event.

The FIFA Council didn't just stop at expanding the World Cup; they also announced new anti-racism measures. These measures include heavier fines, continued efforts to align Disciplinary Codes, and the right for FIFA to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if national sanctions are deemed insufficient, a la doping cases.

Lastly, FIFA is showing solidarity with Afghan women footballers by developing a strategy to support them. The initiative includes creating an Afghan Women's Refugee Team, a groundbreaking move that FIFA believes will help every girl chase their football dreams.

As the footballing world keeps evolving, we can't wait to see what the future holds!

Source: AFP (2025)

Side Note: The Women's World Cup will expand to a 48-team tournament format, starting in 2031. This move follows the success of the 2023 World Cup and aims to boost women's football globally while providing more opportunities for countries to compete. The United States is set to host the joint bid submitted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in the 2031 edition, while England could host the 2035 event. This expansion mirrors the 48-team format that the men's World Cup will adopt in the 2026 tournament. (15% enrichment data)

The United States has received the opportunity to host the joint bid submitted with Mexico and Canada for the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup, which will expand to a 48-team format, similar to the men's World Cup in 2026.
England, winners of the 2023 Women's World Cup, could host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, mimicking the expansion strategy set for the men's tournament.
FIFA, in addition to its bold moves for the Women's World Cup, has agreed on new anti-racism measures, including heavier fines, continuous efforts to align Disciplinary Codes, and the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in cases of insufficient national sanctions, like doping cases.
The FIFA Council's decision to expand the Women's World Cup has been catalyzed by the success of the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand, where every confederation won at least one game, and five confederations advanced to the knockout stage.
FIFA is taking steps to support Afghan women footballers, with an initiative that involves creating an Afghan Women's Refugee Team, offering a new platform for female talent from a war-torn region to chase their football dreams.