FIFA expands Women's World Cup to 48 teams starting in 2031

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced that the 48-team tournament will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104; the match schedule will be extended by one week compared to the current 32-team tournament.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced that it will increase the number of teams participating in the Women's World Cup from the current 32 to 48 teams starting in 2031.

The joy of winning the 2023 Women's World Cup of Spain. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

The FIFA Council has agreed to expand the tournament, citing recent significant advances in women's football worldwide. The 48-team tournament will feature a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104. The matchday schedule will be extended by one week compared to the current 32-team tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the expansion follows the success of the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which was the first tournament in which teams from every confederation won at least one match and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stages, among other records, setting a new standard for women's football.

The FIFA President also emphasized that the latest decision of this federation is not only about having 16 more teams participating but also opens up opportunities for FIFA member associations to invest more in developing women's football in particular and maintain the momentum for developing women's football globally in general.

Thus, the 10th FIFA Women's World Cup taking place in Brazil in 2027 will be the last tournament with 32 participating teams.

FIFA has yet to approve the host of the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cups. However, the 2031 tournament is expected to take place in the United States as the country is the only candidate to submit a bid.

Meanwhile, the UK has registered to host the 2035 World Cup.

For the men's World Cup, the expansion to a 48-team format will be applied from 2026. The US, Canada and Mexico will co-host this tournament./.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/fifa-mo-rong-quy-mo-world-cup-nu-len-48-doi-bat-dau-vao-nam-2031-20250512095659989.htm