By Njoku Chijioke
FIFA has approved a bold expansion of the Women’s World Cup, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48 starting with the 2031 edition.
The move, confirmed by a unanimous FIFA Council vote, will see the global showpiece grow to 104 matches under a new 12 group format. The tournament will also run for an extra week.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the decision goes beyond numbers. “It is a strong step toward deepening the roots of women’s football across the globe,” he stated, highlighting the record breaking success of the 2023 tournament.
The expansion is expected to open more doors for emerging football nations and accelerate investment in the women’s game, as FIFA continues to push for wider inclusion and competitiveness on the global stage.
