Women’s World Cup Set for Major Expansion as FIFA Approves 48-Team Format for 2031

The Women’s World Cup is on the brink of a historic transformation. In a landmark decision on Friday, FIFA’s council approved a proposal to increase the number of participating nations from 32 to 48 for the 2031 edition. This expansion underscores the meteoric rise of women’s football and reflects the sport’s burgeoning global popularity. The tournament, expected to be hosted by the United States, will mirror the format introduced in the men’s competition, setting the stage for a thrilling new chapter.

Embracing Growth: A Tournament for the Times

Following detailed consultations with continental confederations, FIFA concluded that the growing interest in women’s football justifies a broader competition format. The revamped structure will include 12 groups of four teams, resulting in over 100 matches. This strategic move aims to offer more countries a chance to compete on the world stage while fostering the sport’s global footprint.

The 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand witnessed the tournament’s first expansion from 24 to 32 teams. This format will be retained for the upcoming 2027 event in Brazil, which features iconic venues like Rio’s Maracanã Stadium. By 2031, however, fans can expect an even more dynamic showcase with increased representation and opportunity.

2035 World Cup in the UK: A Showcase of Scale and Spectacle

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is poised to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, and the expanded format will play a pivotal role in planning logistics. The increase in participating teams could require a wider network of host cities and upgraded infrastructure. Traditional powerhouses like Wembley Stadium, Hampden Park, and Principality Stadium are expected to feature prominently. Additionally, ambitious projects such as Manchester United’s proposed new venue and Birmingham City’s planned 62,000-seater stadium may be in contention if completed on schedule.

These developments signal the growing commitment to elevating women’s football in both scale and prestige. FIFA’s confidence in assigning tournaments to established footballing nations like the US and UK—despite formal ratification still pending—shows a clear intent to build momentum.

FIFA Backs Afghan Women’s Football with Strategic Support

Beyond the marquee tournament changes, FIFA has also approved a three-pillar strategy to support Afghan women’s football. The plan, introduced earlier this year, addresses the unique challenges faced by Afghan players following the Taliban’s takeover. Under this initiative, FIFA will offer project-specific assistance for women and girls within Afghanistan, initiate diplomatic engagement with key figures, and establish opportunities for players forced into exile.

A major highlight is the formation of a refugee team composed of Afghan women footballers, which will participate in friendlies and FIFA-sanctioned tournaments. The focus will be on creating a secure, inclusive environment where players’ wellbeing is paramount.

Unfortunately, the timing of this initiative means Afghanistan will not compete in the 2027 World Cup. The country missed the June qualifying campaign for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which serves as a gateway to the tournament.

A Pilot for Change and Potential Recognition

The refugee team will begin as a one-year pilot, during which FIFA will assess its effectiveness and potential to serve as a model for similar displaced groups worldwide. If successful, this framework may become a powerful tool for inclusion and development in conflict-affected regions.

Khalida Popal, founder of the Afghanistan women’s national team, expressed pride in the team’s symbolic milestone: “We are proud to be part of history in helping create Fifa’s first ever refugee football team … but remain hopeful Fifa can amend its statutes to provide official recognition for our players as the Afghanistan women’s national team.”

Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance, commended the initiative but highlighted lingering challenges: “This first step from Fifa to create an Afghan women’s refugee team is a testament to the tireless advocacy and persistence of the Afghan women players. Yet it is important to note that this does not fully address the ongoing gender discrimination by the Afghanistan Football Federation as it continues to ban women from playing and the matches of the AWRT will not count toward their official ranking.”

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