Women's World Cup teams expanded to 48
Published on: Sunday, May 11, 2025
Published on: Sun, May 11, 2025
By: AFP Text Size: US President Donald Trump speaks alongside President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino during a meeting with the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup in the East Room. PARIS: The Women's World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams, like the men's competition, starting with the 2031 edition, FIFA announced on Friday. The FIFA Council unanimously agreed to enlarge the competition 'given the remarkable recent strides made by women's football across the world,' the sport's governing body said. The 48-team tournament will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 and extending the tournament by one week, FIFA said. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the expansion followed the success of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, won by Spain.
'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,' said Infantino. 'This is not just about having 16 more teams playing ... 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,' he said. 'This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally.' The 2027 tournament in Brazil, which will be the tenth edition of the women's event, will remain at 32 teams. FIFA have still to ratify the 2031 and 2035 hosts. The 2031 edition is expected to take place in the United States, sole candidate to host the tournament. The United Kingdom, including 2023 finalists England, are bidding to host the 2035 event. 'I can confirm as part of the bidding process that we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035,' Infantino said last month. The men's tournament will be expanded to 48 teams for the World Cup in 2026, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. On Friday, the FIFA Council also adopted new anti-racism measures notably by increasing fines. Federations will also have to bring their own Disciplinary Code into compliance, and FIFA can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if they believe national sanctions are insufficient, as is the case in doping cases. The 211 FIFA Council members were also informed about preparations for the 75th FIFA Congress that will take place on May 15 in Asunción, Paraguay. The FIFA Council also approved the strategy to support Afghan women footballers, which includes the creation of an Afghan Women's Refugee Team (AWRT). 'FIFA is engaging directly with the relevant players,' football's governing body said. 'This is a landmark initiative,' added Infantino. 'FIFA is committed to giving every girl the possibility to play football.' * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
'Italian genius' Inzaghi to coach Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal
RIYADH: Former Inter boss Simone Inzaghi was revealed as the new coach of Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal today, days before they take part in the new-look Club World Cup. The Italian, who led Inter to a heavy defeat in Saturday's Champions League final, had earlier played down rumours of a two-year deal worth 50 million euros. "I am Simone Inzaghi and today begins my story with Al Hilal," he said in a slickly produced video posted on X, in which he sips Arabian coffee and pins an Al Hilal lapel badge on his suit. Inzaghi, 49, becomes just the latest high-profile footballing acquisition for oil-rich Saudi Arabia, which will host the World Cup in 2034. "The Italian genius is here," Al Hilal posted. "Welcome, Simone Inzaghi." Inzaghi joins the likes of Ruben Neves and Aleksandar Mitrovic at Al Hilal, which let injury-hit Neymar go in January after just seven appearances since his arrival in August 2023. A source with knowledge of the negotiations last week told AFP that the "first option" for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has signalled he is leaving rival club Al Nassr, could be a move to Al Hilal. Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes this week said he rejected Al Hilal's reported US$135 million (RM571 million) offer because he wanted to "continue to play at the highest level." Inzaghi's Inter slumped 5-0 to Qatar-funded Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Champions League final. His departure was confirmed on Tuesday. The former forward guided Inter to one Serie A title and two Italian Cups since joining in 2021. He took them to two Champions League finals in three seasons but lost both. On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophyless after falling away in each competition.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Former Sri Lanka spinner prosecuted for match-fixing
SRI Lanka's former spin bowler Sachithra Senanayake on Thursday became the first to be prosecuted under a new law aimed at stamping out corruption in sport on the island. The 40-year-old was indicted before the High Court in the southern city of Hambantota on match-fixing charges relating to a local tournament in 2020. He is currently on bail after being arrested in September 2023. He denies the charges. Senanayake last played for Sri Lanka in 2016 and made 74 international appearances. He is accused of influencing two Lanka Premier League players to fix matches in 2020. Police said Senanayake is the first player to fall foul of a 2019 law that makes match-fixing a criminal offence. A conviction could result in a maximum of 10 years in jail, a fine of up to 100 million rupees ($333,000) or both. Former sports minister Harin Fernando introduced the tough new law after saying the International Cricket Council (ICC) considered Sri Lanka one of the most corrupt cricketing nations. Another former sports minister, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, told parliament in 2021 that match-fixing was rife in the country. Aluthgamage was jailed for 20 years in an unrelated corruption case. Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga in 2012 urged fans to boycott matches in protest against what he called 'mismanagement, corruption and indiscipline' in the national team.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Messi role uncertain as Argentina coach monitors fitness ahead of Chile qualifier
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said on Wednesday he had yet to decide whether captain Lionel Messi would start in their next World Cup qualifier against Chile, as he continues to closely monitor the 37-year-old's fitness. With their place at the 2026 World Cup already secured, Argentina, who lead the South American qualifying standings, travel to face bottom-placed Chile today without several regulars and with Messi's role uncertain. "We've been in contact (with Messi) recently. We haven't decided yet whether he'll play from the start or not. It would be good to know how he's feeling physically," Scaloni told reporters. "It's clear that today we're in a position to try other things. In principle, he's available to play, and we'll decide later." With a number of key players sidelined by injury or suspension, Scaloni called it a chance to test new talent ahead of their World Cup title defence next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada. "We're going to have a lot of players out. If some of the guys we call up are fit and ready to play, they'll get their chance," he said. "I don't have the starting eleven confirmed yet, but we will give some playing time to players who haven't played much and who we believe are ready to play. "Although the result is always important, we don't think it's crucial today. We'll probably try to help these players settle in and give them the chance to get some playing time with the team." The 47-year-old coach stressed that Argentina's mentality remains unchanged and delivering a strong performance is still the priority. "We want to play, it's good for us to see other players, even those who are playing well. A match is never inopportune," Scaloni said. "It's not that we national teams play so much that we would say we don't want to play this match. On the contrary. We think it's a nice match to play, with its difficulties. We are in a good position." Scaloni also weighed in on Carlo Ancelotti's appointment as Brazil coach, saying he believes the Italian will strengthen the five-time world champions. "I think it's great. We're talking about one of the best coaches of recent times. He's going to raise the profile of Brazil even more," Scaloni added. "I like his attitude, I like everything about him. I think he's going to be good. At the end of the day, he enriches the game. He's welcome here and I wish him all the best." - REUTERS
