The womens World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams from the 2031 edition onwards after world soccers governing body FIFA said its Council approved the proposal at a virtual meeting on Friday.
The 48-team World Cup will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 - the same as the expanded mens World Cup in 2026 - and extending the tournament by one week.
The 2027 womens World Cup, which will be held in Brazil, will have 32 teams. The 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand was the first to have 32 teams, up from 24 in the 2019 tournament hosted by France.
This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Womens World Cup but taking the next steps in relation to the womens game in general, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
More FIFA member associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their womens football structures from a holistic point of view.
