The Women’s Football World Cup will go from 32 to 48 teams, such as the male event, from the 2031 edition announced this Friday the International Federation (FIFA).
The decision was made unanimously by the FIFA Council “given the remarkable progress recently made by women’s football around the world,” said the body in a statement, before its 75th congress which begins Thursday in Asuncion (Paraguay).
Like men, who will compete in a first world at 48 (in the United States, Canada and Mexico), the Queen women’s test will grow from the tournament planned in 2031 in the United States.
The decision was expected since the president of FIFA Gianni Infantino announced it at the last UEFA congress in April in Belgrade. It was formally adopted at a last videoconferencing meeting before the 75th congress which begins Thursday in the capital of Paraguay.
“Accelerate investments”
“It is not only a question of having 16 additional teams but of taking a new stage in the development of women’s football in general,” said Infantino, quoted in the press release. He wants “that more members can take advantage of the tournament to develop their own women’s football structures”.
That more teams can “access the elite competition” will “accelerate investments in women’s football around the world”, specifies FIFA.
The next edition of the Women’s World Cup in 2027 in Brazil remains at 32 teams. The following editions could be held in 2031 in the United Statesthe only candidacy for the time being, and in 2035 in the United Kingdom, which presented a file.
The creation of an Afghan women’s team from refugees
To organize the event, the United States could associate with “a few other members of the Concacaf”, the Confederation of Central, North and Caribbean, had told Belgrade Mr. Infantino, like the three of the male World Cup.
For 2035, the English Federation will be associated with those of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The FIFA Council has also approved the support strategy for Afghan footballers, which provides for the creation of an Afghan women’s female team (AWRT).
