Expansion of Women's World Cup Anticipated for the 2035 Edition Held in the United Kingdom
Get ready for more action on the pitch as the Women's World Cup expands from 32 to 48 teams in time for the 2031 tournament in the United Kingdom!
After being previously reported by our website, the decision was officially confirmed during a virtual meeting of the FIFA Council. This means that the number of matches will jump from 64 under the current 32-team format to 104, marking a significant leap in competition. The expansion will mirror a similar extension of the men's tournament.
FIFA stated that adding 16 teams would provide "more nations and players access to elite competition" and catalyze investment in the women's game. The change will commence from the 2026 Women's World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in the United States.
The United States and United Kingdom are the top contenders to host the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cups respectively, with the US coasting through the ratification process and the UK being the sole bidder for the 2035 event. FIFI still needs to verify the hosting venues for both tournaments.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino mentioned, "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 by ensuring that 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 expansion is predicted to foster greater global competitiveness, with more teams having the opportunity to compete at the highest level and receive investment towards their women's football programs. There are hopes that hosting the tournament across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will spur the popularity of the women's game in the United Kingdom.
In light of this news, England star Chloe Kelly shared her sentiments, saying, "The Euros here was amazing and a World Cup would be absolutely incredible... England fans love football and we're ready to get behind the team. So I think it's important that we have many celebratory moments together."
Stay tuned for more updates on the expansion and the Women's World Cup! Make sure to follow our channel for the latest news. Goodbye and have a fantastic day!
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Potential Concerns: There may be concerns about more mismatches in games due to the increased number of teams. However, the 2023 Women's World Cup showed marked improvements in global competitiveness, with teams from all confederations winning matches and five confederations reaching the knockout stages.
[1] https://www.insidesoccer.de/news/fifa-expansion-womens-world-cup-48-teams/
[2] https://www.espn.com/soccer/womens-world-cup/story/4382735/womens-world-cup-to-grow-from-32-to-48-teams-beginning-in-2031
[3] https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/12052656/fifa-womens-world-cup-will-expand-to-48-teams-from-2031
- The football world can expect more competitiveness in sports, especially women's football, as FIFA plans to increase the number of teams in the Women's World Cup from 32 to 48, enlarging the tournament starting from the 2031 event.
- Newcomers to the competition in 2035 may face challenges against established teams, as the Women's World Cup expansion will lead to more nations and players accessing elite competition, potentially resulting in more mismatches in games.
- The 2035 Women's World Cup could attract a significant following in the United Kingdom, especially among football fans, as there are hopes that hosting the tournament across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will spur the popularity of women's football in the region.
- With the expansion, it's anticipated that the 2031 Women's World Cup in the United Kingdom will serve as a platform for newcomers to showcase their skills on a global stage, providing them with the opportunity to enlarge their impact on the football landscape.
