FIFA Expands Women’s World Cup to 48 Teams for 2031; USA Likely to Host
FIFA has officially announced that the Women’s World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams starting with the 2031 edition. The decision was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council during a meeting held on May 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the expansion is about more than just adding more teams—it’s a move designed to foster the global development of women’s football.
“This is not just about 16 more teams in the tournament. It’s about giving more member associations a chance to be part of the World Cup, thereby accelerating the growth of women’s football across the world,” Infantino explained. “The 2023 Women’s World Cup raised the bar, with teams from all six confederations securing wins and five reaching the knockout stages. We are building on that momentum.”
The expanded tournament will feature a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104. The competition will also be extended by one week to accommodate the new structure.
The United States is currently seen as the frontrunner to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup. If selected, it would be the first time the U.S. has hosted the tournament since 2003. FIFA has already updated its hosting criteria to reflect the scale of the expanded event.
In addition to the tournament expansion, the FIFA Council approved a revised version of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The updated code introduces stronger measures to combat discrimination and racism in football, both on and off the field.
“This represents a major step in our efforts to strengthen the fight against discrimination and racist abuse,” said Infantino. “We are working hand-in-hand with our 211 member associations to ensure accountability.”
The new code includes a strict three-step anti-discrimination protocol that all confederations must enforce. Fines for discriminatory behavior have been significantly increased, with penalties now reaching up to $5.9 million. Players and officials will also be given the opportunity to help identify offenders, providing critical support to FIFA’s investigations.
These updated disciplinary regulations will first be enforced at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, which will take place in the United States.
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