Women's World Cup from 2031 to have 48-teams as FIFA approves Proposal

• FIFA expands 2031 Women’s World Cup to 48 teams
• From 2031, a 12-group Format will be adopted
• The United States is expected to take the Hosting rights of 2031 Women’s World Cup

The world soccer's governing body FIFA announced that from the 2031 edition of the Women’s World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams. The proposal to increase participating team count was approved at a virtual meeting held recently. 

From 2031 a 12-group format will be adopted. It will increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104, similar to the expanded men's World Cup in 2026. This move will see the tournament getting extended by one week. 

To be held in Brazil, the 2027 women's World Cup will still have 32 teams. The 2023 edition of the World Cup which was held in Australia and New Zealand was the first tournament to have 32 teams. The number had seen a rise from 24 in the 2019 tournament which was hosted by France. 

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, said in a statement, “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. " FIFA member associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament and develop their women's football structures from a holistic point of view. 

The 2026 men's World Cup will be jointly held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and it will be the first tournament to feature 48 teams and increase from 32 teams.  
 
The United States is expected to be awarded the hosting rights for the 2031 women's World Cup, as it is the only candidate. The United Kingdom is the only contender for the 2035 tournament. The hosts for both the 2031 and 2035 events have not yet been confirmed. 

"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," said the FIFA president. 

"This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally,” he further added.