FIFA is open to exploring expanding the Women’s World Cup to 48 teams — with some member associations lobbying for it to happen.
The competition was most recently increased from 24 teams to 32 in July 2019 following the tournament in France that year, and this came into force at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
FIFA has already confirmed that the 2027 tournament in Brazil will again feature 32 countries, but multiple sources with knowledge of the governing body’s thinking, not authorised to speak publicly, have informed The Athletic it is open to the possibility of bringing the number of teams in line with the men’s tournament, which has been increased to 48 for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It is unlikely, however, that a vote will be taken on the matter at the Extraordinary FIFA congress on December 11.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, said at their congress in Bangkok earlier this year that they “will work on that”.
U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Soccer Federation announced in April their intention to lodge a joint bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The two federations withdrew their bid for the 2027 tournament to instead focus on 2031.
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