FIFA has confirmed that the Women’s World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2031, mirroring the size of the men’s tournament. The decision was announced on Friday following a unanimous vote by the FIFA Council, which said the move reflects the significant global growth in women’s football.
The revamped format will feature 12 groups and increase the number of matches from 64 to 104, with the tournament also extended by an additional week. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the change builds on the success of the 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand, where Spain emerged as champions.
Infantino noted that the 2023 tournament marked a turning point, as teams from every footballing continent won at least one match, and sides from five confederations reached the knockout stages. “This isn’t just about increasing the number of teams,” Infantino said. “It’s about broadening the global reach of women’s football and giving more associations the opportunity to benefit and grow their women’s programmes.”
The 2027 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Brazil, will still be contested by 32 teams. FIFA has yet to confirm hosts for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments, but the United States is currently the only bidder for 2031, while the UK, including 2023 runners-up England, has submitted a bid for the 2035 edition.
The men’s World Cup will also see its first 48-team tournament in 2026, to be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
In other announcements, FIFA unveiled tougher anti-racism measures, including increased fines and a requirement for national federations to align their disciplinary codes with FIFA’s standards. The governing body said it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in cases where national punishments are considered too lenient, similar to its approach in doping cases.
FIFA also announced a strategy to support Afghan women footballers by establishing the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team (AWRT), reaffirming its commitment to making football accessible for girls and women worldwide. “This is a landmark initiative,” Infantino said.
