As unanimously decided by the FIFA Council, the Women’s World Cup will expand from 32 teams to 48 beginning in 2031.
“This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup but taking the next steps in relation to the women’s game in general by ensuring that more FIFA Member Associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their women’s football structures from a holistic point of view,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the first in which teams from all confederations won at least one game and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stage, among many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness. This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women’s football globally.”
The 48-team tournament will adopt a 12-group format, which will bump the number of total matches from 64 to 104 and extend the competition by one week.
The United States is expected to host the 2031 tournament, which will be the first time it has held a Women’s World Cup since 2003. Hosting requirements for the 2031 World Cup have been adapted accordingly.
In that very same meeting, the FIFA Council unanimously approved the revised edition of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), which includes a comprehensive set of proactive regulatory measures to counter and punish discriminatory behavior both on and off the pitch.
“The revised Disciplinary Code represents a step change in FIFA’s objective to enhance its regulatory framework to prosecute and sanction discrimination and racist abuse in cooperation with our 211 FIFA Member Associations,” Infantino said.
A three-step anti-discrimination procedure has been put in place and all confederations will be required to enforce it. Fines for inappropriate behavior has increased significantly, with the limit now set at approximately $5.9 million. Players and officials will also be able to help identify individuals committing racist abuse to help FIFA investigations.
The regulations have been approved for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States next summer.
