It was already indicated, now FIFA has confirmed it. The women’s soccer World Cup 2031 and 2035 are expanded to 48 teams.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had already promised a larger tournament at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade in April. This has now been decided by the FIFA Council.
Now he said: “It’s not just about having 16 other teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but also about taking the next steps with regard to women’s football in general,, We would like to make sure that more FIFA member associations benefit from the tournament and can further develop their women’s football structures. ”
It was not until the Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand increased the number of teams at the final round from 24 to 32. The format aroused concern that too large differences between the teams could become visible. But these concerns were not confirmed, the tournament was largely rated positively in terms of sport.
USA and Great Britain have applied
Had in Belgrade Infantino also explained “That we received a valid offer for 2031 and for 2035”. In 2031, the USA would apply, possibly with other countries from North America. “The application for 2035 comes from Europe“, said Infantino, it is England, WalesScotland and Northern Ireland.
Infantino emphasized the term “Valid offer”which suggests that other applicants are mistaken. Spain had also considered an application in combination with Portugal and Morocco. Countries from Africa also had the chance to apply. Infantino said: “So the path is prepared for big tournaments in great countries.”
| Year | Team | country |
|---|---|---|
1991 | 12 | China |
1995 | 12 | Sweden |
1999 | 16 | USA |
2003 | 16 | USA |
2007 | 16 | China |
2011 | 16 | Germany |
2015 | 24 | Canada |
2019 | 24 | France |
2023 | 32 | Australia and New Zealand |
2027 | 32 | Brazil |
2031 | 48 | USA* |
2035 | 48 | Great Britain* |
*not yet confirmed
The official decision is made in spring 2026
For 2031, only countries from North and Central America and Africa should be able to apply. 2035 should only be considered countries from Europe and Africa.
The restriction to certain continents should previously produce a kind of justice with a view to the host countries. The DFB in vain with the Netherlands and Belgium around the Women’s World Cup 2027, the tournament was awarded to Brazil. The DFB is now striving for the EM 2029, but also has strong competition there: Denmark and Sweden in a joint application as well as Portugal, Poland and Italy also want the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announces the winner when applying for the 2027 World Cup: Brazil
Double award again lived practice in the FIFA
There was a lot of criticism of the principle of duplication in the award of the 2030 World Cup and the 2034 World Cup in December 2024: for example from human rights organizations, sports law experts and also officially in the FIFA congress from the Norwegian Association. Since the scandal for the allocation of the two men’s tournaments in 2018 and 2022 to Russia and Qatar, duplicate rates were actually abolished as part of several reforms in the FIFA statutes – to prevent agreements, deals and corruption.
Now the double award is again living practice in FIFA. A corresponding change in statutes had been unanimously launched by the FIFA Council in 2024, i.e. also with the consent of DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, who is a member of the FIFA Council. On April 3, Neuendorf will be in the FIFA Council at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade for the re-election for four more years. The position is currently paid at $ 250,000 a year.