FIFA has formally announced a daring expansion of the Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, with a start date of one, thus this decision will go down in history. This momentous change heralds a new era for international women’s football and comes after the successful expansion to 32 teams in 2023, when Australia and New Zealand were co-hosted.
In a unanimous decision, FIFA’s council recognized the remarkable global advancements made by women’s football. The 11th edition of the Women’s World Cup, which is headed to the United States, will have the same number of competing nations as the men’s game, which will see 48 teams fight in the 2026 World Cup. This highlights the sport’s increasing parity.
Since FIFA President Gianni Infantino initially alluded to this expansion during the UEFA Congress in Belgrade this April, anticipation had been growing. A virtual gathering held in advance of the 75th FIFA Congress in Asunción, Paraguay, provided the official approval. Infantino emphasized that this shift represents a major breakthrough in the growth and development of women’s football globally and goes beyond simply adding 16 teams. He expressed the hope that this will encourage further member associations to fund their women’s football initiatives.
A significant question remains as the competition expands in size and reach: when will the resources and prize money be equal to those of the men’s World Cup, guaranteeing full equality?
