Credits: X/@FIFAmedia

FIFA Expands Women’s World Cup to 48 Teams From 2031

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously championed the idea of greater inclusivity and investment in women’s football.

Credits: X/@FIFAmedia

FIFA has confirmed a historic expansion of the Women’s World Cup, with the number of participating teams set to increase from 32 to 48 starting with the 2031 edition. The decision was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council. The 2031 tournament will mirror the structure of Men’s World Cup in 2026 and is expected to significantly increase global representation in the showpiece tournament.

The expanded Women’s World Cup will feature 12 groups of four, with the top two and eight best third-placed teams advancing to a round of 32. This move will expand the total number of matches from 64 to 104. The extended format will also lengthen the tournament by an additional week.

The Women’s World Cup has undergone rapid growth in recent years. The 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand was the first to feature 32 teams, a jump from the 24-team format used in France in 2019. With Brazil confirmed as the host of the 2027 edition, which will also feature 32 nations, FIFA’s latest decision marks another significant step in elevating the profile of the women’s game on the global stage.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously championed the idea of greater inclusivity and investment in women’s football. Infantino said the expansion followed the success of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which was won by Spain.

The FIFA Women's World Cup is set to become bigger and more inclusive 🌏🏆

In a historic decision for the game, the FIFA council has unanimously decided that from 2031 onwards, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will see 48 teams competing against one another for the very first time.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) May 9, 2025

United States To Host 2031 Women’s World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement,

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the first in which teams from all confederations won at least one game and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stage, among many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness.”

“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.”

The United States is on track to be confirmed as the host nation for the 2031 Women’s World Cup as it is the only bidder for the tournament. If ratified, it will mark the third time the U.S. has staged the event, having previously hosted in 1999 and 2003.

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Meanwhile, the United Kingdom stands as the sole bidder for the 2035 edition. While FIFA has yet to formally ratify the hosts for both tournaments, the path appears clear for both nations to welcome the world’s biggest women’s football competition once again.

FIFA

Gianni Infantino

Women’s World Cup 2031

Abhinav Goel

soccer

I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.