The FIFA Council adopted a historic decision regarding women's World Cup championships

The International Football Association Board (FIFA) has approved a decision to expand the final tournament of the women's World Cup to 48 participants. For the first time, the format with 48 teams (12 groups of four) will be used in 2031.

The FIFA Council adopted a historic decision regarding women's World Cup championships

Photo from fifa.com

The International Football Association Board (FIFA) approved a decision to expand the final tournament of the Women's World Cup to 48 participants. 

For the first time, the format with 48 teams (12 groups of four) will be used in 2031. As a reminder, the USA (together with other CONCACAF members, which will be named later) expressed interest in hosting the 2031 World Cup, while England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have submitted a joint bid for the 2035 World Cup. The official hosts of women's World Cups will be announced at the FIFA Congress in the second quarter of 2026.

The upcoming World Cup, featuring 32 national teams from June 24 to July 25, 2027, will take place in eight cities in Brazil: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo. 

It is worth noting that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently made a historic decision regarding women's football. Starting with the next Summer Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, there will be 16 teams competing in the women's football tournament (previously it was 12).