Picture Credit: X/FIFA
FIFA has officially announced that the 2031 Women's World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams, aligning with the men's tournament format introduced in 2026. This expansion, approved unanimously by the FIFA Council, aims to enhance global competitiveness and provide more opportunities for nations to develop women's football programs. The 2031 tournament will be hosted by the United States, marking its third time as hosts after 1999 and 2003. The expanded format will feature 12 groups, increasing the number of matches from 64 to 104 and extending the tournament by one week.
The decision to expand the Women's World Cup reflects the rapid growth and increasing popularity of women's football worldwide. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the expansion supports the holistic growth of women’s football by allowing more Member Associations to benefit from the tournament. The 2023 Women's World Cup demonstrated growing parity across teams, with teams from all six confederations winning matches and debutant teams achieving historic first wins.
We are committed to giving every girl the possibility to play football: FIFA President Gianni Infantino
However, the expansion also presents challenges. Concerns persist about potential declines in competitive quality and the logistical and financial burdens of hosting such a large event, particularly for smaller nations. The new format will require adjustments to World Cup qualifying procedures and thoughtful planning to ensure readiness and equity. FIFA's challenge now lies in adequately preparing national teams for successful participation under the expanded format.
In a statement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the significance of the expansion by saying, “This expansion will allow every young girl with a football dream to hope and aspire to be at this global competition celebrating the women’s game.” He further added by saying, “Our message remains clear: football is for everyone and we are committed to giving every girl the possibility to play football.”
