In a historic move poised to redefine the landscape of women’s football, FIFA has officially announced that the Women’s World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 participating nations starting with the 2031 edition. The decision was ratified during a virtual FIFA Council meeting held on Friday.
This expansion is more than just a numbers game. By increasing global participation, FIFA aims to enhance competitiveness, boost investment, and foster the development of women’s football across all regions. The new format will feature 12 groups and increase the total number of matches from 64 to 104, extending the tournament duration by an additional week.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the decision goes beyond adding more teams.
“This is about advancing the women’s game in a meaningful, inclusive way — allowing more nations to grow their infrastructure, inspire the next generation, and reap the benefits of top-tier competition,” he stated.
The expansion follows the resounding success of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where teams from every confederation registered at least one victory and five made it to the knockout stages — a first in the tournament’s history. This performance, Infantino said, underscored the growing parity and global appeal of the sport.
In addition to the expansion, the FIFA Council also approved a new strategic initiative for Afghan women’s football, which includes the formation of the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team (AWRT). FIFA will now work on the implementation and logistical setup to get the team active as soon as possible.
“This is a landmark initiative,” Infantino added. “FIFA remains committed to creating opportunities for every girl to play football, no matter where she’s from.”
The Women’s World Cup, which began in 1991 with just 12 teams, has come a long way. The most recent edition in 2023 was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with Spain lifting the trophy. The 2027 tournament is next in line, and the United States will host the expanded 2031 edition.
