GENEVA — The Women’s World Cup will increase to 48 teams in 2031, when the United States is expected to host the quadrennial soccer tournament, FIFA confirmed Friday.
FIFA has wanted to expand the women’s tournament from 32 teams to match the World Cup, which will expand to 48 men’s teams for the first time next year, when the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
The decision will require the addition of some four stadiums and cities to the 2031 hosting plan, which FIFA has said could expand to Mexico and perhaps beyond in the CONCACAF soccer region.
It follows one month after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the sanctioning body for international soccer had just one candidate bidding for each of the 2031 and 2035 women’s tournaments — the U.S. followed by the United Kingdom. FIFA is expected to confirm these two hosts next year.
Brazil will host a 32-team Women’s World Cup in 2027 using just eight stadiums in eight cities that were confirmed this week.