FIFA will expand its Women's World Cup to 48 teams starting in 2031, aligning the tournament with the format of the men's competition, the organization announced Friday. The decision follows the record-breaking success of the 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand, which saw teams from all continental confederations win matches.
The revamped format will feature 12 groups of four teams each, expanding the total number of matches from 64 to 104 and extending the tournament duration by one week. The 2027 event in Brazil will remain at 32 teams as originally planned.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the “remarkable strides” in women’s football as key to the expansion: “The 2023 World Cup set new standards for global competitiveness, with five confederations represented in the knockout stage. This expansion ensures we maintain that momentum worldwide.”
Host nations for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments remain unconfirmed, though the United States currently stands as the sole candidate for 2031. The United Kingdom has expressed interest in hosting the 2035 event, capitalizing on England’s strong performance in recent tournaments.
The move mirrors the upcoming expansion of the men’s World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Analysts suggest the women’s tournament expansion could unlock new commercial opportunities and increase global media rights valuations.
