Latest news with #FIFAWomen'sWorldCup2023
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
FIFA approves 48-team women's World Cup from 2031 edition
LONDON: The women's World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams from the 2031 edition onwards after world soccer's governing body FIFA said its Council approved the proposal at a virtual meeting on Friday. The 48-team World Cup will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 - the same as the expanded men's World Cup in 2026 - and extending the tournament by one week. The 2027 women's World Cup, which will be held in Brazil, will have 32 teams. The 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand was the first to have 32 teams, up from 24 in the 2019 tournament hosted by France. "This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women's World Cup but taking the next steps in relation to the women's game in general," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. ."..more FIFA member associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their women's football structures from a holistic point of view." The 2026 men's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first to have 48 teams. The men's World Cup had 32 teams since the 1998 edition until the last tournament in Qatar in 2022. The United States is poised to be named host of the 2031 women's World Cup as the only bid, marking the third time the country will stage the tournament after previously hosting it in 1999 and 2003. The United Kingdom is the sole bidder for the 2035 tournament. Hosts for the 2031 and 2035 editions are yet to be ratified. Although there are concerns that games could be one-sided with 48 teams, Infantino said the 2023 edition showed sides are closing the gap on the elite. "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," he added. "This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally." Players' union FIFPRO welcomed the expansion of the women's World Cup as it demonstrated the growth of women's soccer. "However, the support of players depends on inclusive decision-making and cooperative planning that respects all stakeholders," FIFPRO said in a statement. "It is critical that the global development of women's competitions goes hand in hand with improved labour conditions and the advancement of players, as well as development further down the pyramid." -
NBC Sports
09-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Women's World Cup to expand to 48 teams for 2031 tournament in United States and Mexico
The Women's World Cup will join its men's counterpart in an expanded field by the start of the 2031 World Cup, a tournament expected to be played in the United States and Mexico MORE — List of Women's World Cup winners, finals The World Cup field currently boasts 32 teams and will change course after the 2027 tournament in Brazil. FIFA have not ratified hosts for 2031 and 2035, but both are expected to be formalities for the U.S./Mexico and United Kingdom, respectively. The U.S. and Mexico were the only nations to bid for the 2031 tournament, while England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were the only bidders to host in 2035. FIFA president Gianni Infantino claims the expansion is built on momentum for women's football and the hope to grow the women's sport around the world. How will the 48-team Women's World Cup work? FIFA says there will be 12 four-team groups, making for a 104-game tournament that will take one further week to play than the current format. 'This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women's World Cup 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 from a holistic point of view,' Infantino said. '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. This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally.'
North Wales Chronicle
09-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Women's World Cup in 2035 set to feature 48 teams
The FIFA Council voted on Friday to expand the competition from the 2031 finals onwards. That tournament is set to be awarded to the United States with support from other nations in the region. The change does not come as a surprise, with bid documents for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments published in March mentioning the current 32-team format remained 'subject to change'. The Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been confirmed by FIFA as the sole bidders to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035. — The FA (@FA) April 3, 2025 The UK is almost certain to host the 2035 finals after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last month it was the only 'valid bid' received. A formal bid document must be formally submitted in November and evaluated, before a vote to rubberstamp by FIFA Congress in the second quarter of 2026. The tournament only expanded to 32 teams from 16 in 2023. There was scepticism over that decision but the finals in Australia and New Zealand threw up plenty of surprises and were very competitive, with only three of the 32 teams failing to register a point. The decision means that from 2031 the Women's World Cup will feature the same number of teams as the men's finals, although there is a proposal from South America to expand the centenary finals in 2030 to 64 teams on a one-off basis, something UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin described last month as a 'bad idea'. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been a strong advocate for expanding the women's finals to 48 teams, while Football Association president Mark Bullingham said last month the four national associations would be 'really comfortable' if the finals were expanded to 48 teams. That would likely require 16 venues, which Bullingham believes would allow the tournament to create more impact across the four nations. Infantino said on Friday: 'This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women's World Cup 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 from a holistic point of view. '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. This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally.' The Council also approved a plan to establish an Afghanistan women's refugee team. FIFA is engaging directly with the relevant players, with women's sport banned in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. FIFA also announced a strengthening of its rules to tackle racism. Maximum fines in instances of racist abuse have been increased from one million Swiss francs to five million Swiss francs (£4.5m), and all confederations will be required to implement the 'three-step' protocol to deal with incidents of racism. FIFA also reserves the right to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against decisions in cases of racist abuse, and intervene in cases where it feels insufficient action has been taken by a national association.
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Women's World Cup in 2035 set to feature 48 teams
The FIFA Council voted on Friday to expand the competition from the 2031 finals onwards. That tournament is set to be awarded to the United States with support from other nations in the region. The change does not come as a surprise, with bid documents for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments published in March mentioning the current 32-team format remained 'subject to change'. The Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been confirmed by FIFA as the sole bidders to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035. — The FA (@FA) April 3, 2025 The UK is almost certain to host the 2035 finals after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last month it was the only 'valid bid' received. A formal bid document must be formally submitted in November and evaluated, before a vote to rubberstamp by FIFA Congress in the second quarter of 2026. The tournament only expanded to 32 teams from 16 in 2023. There was scepticism over that decision but the finals in Australia and New Zealand threw up plenty of surprises and were very competitive, with only three of the 32 teams failing to register a point. The decision means that from 2031 the Women's World Cup will feature the same number of teams as the men's finals, although there is a proposal from South America to expand the centenary finals in 2030 to 64 teams on a one-off basis, something UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin described last month as a 'bad idea'. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been a strong advocate for expanding the women's finals to 48 teams, while Football Association president Mark Bullingham said last month the four national associations would be 'really comfortable' if the finals were expanded to 48 teams. That would likely require 16 venues, which Bullingham believes would allow the tournament to create more impact across the four nations. Infantino said on Friday: 'This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women's World Cup 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 from a holistic point of view. '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. This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally.' The Council also approved a plan to establish an Afghanistan women's refugee team. FIFA is engaging directly with the relevant players, with women's sport banned in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. FIFA also announced a strengthening of its rules to tackle racism. Maximum fines in instances of racist abuse have been increased from one million Swiss francs to five million Swiss francs (£4.5m), and all confederations will be required to implement the 'three-step' protocol to deal with incidents of racism. FIFA also reserves the right to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against decisions in cases of racist abuse, and intervene in cases where it feels insufficient action has been taken by a national association.
Rhyl Journal
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Women's World Cup in 2035 set to feature 48 teams
The FIFA Council voted on Friday to expand the competition from the 2031 finals onwards. That tournament is set to be awarded to the United States with support from other nations in the region. The change does not come as a surprise, with bid documents for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments published in March mentioning the current 32-team format remained 'subject to change'. The Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been confirmed by FIFA as the sole bidders to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035. — The FA (@FA) April 3, 2025 The UK is almost certain to host the 2035 finals after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last month it was the only 'valid bid' received. A formal bid document must be formally submitted in November and evaluated, before a vote to rubberstamp by FIFA Congress in the second quarter of 2026. The tournament only expanded to 32 teams from 16 in 2023. There was scepticism over that decision but the finals in Australia and New Zealand threw up plenty of surprises and were very competitive, with only three of the 32 teams failing to register a point. The decision means that from 2031 the Women's World Cup will feature the same number of teams as the men's finals, although there is a proposal from South America to expand the centenary finals in 2030 to 64 teams on a one-off basis, something UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin described last month as a 'bad idea'. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been a strong advocate for expanding the women's finals to 48 teams, while Football Association president Mark Bullingham said last month the four national associations would be 'really comfortable' if the finals were expanded to 48 teams. That would likely require 16 venues, which Bullingham believes would allow the tournament to create more impact across the four nations. Infantino said on Friday: 'This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women's World Cup 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 from a holistic point of view. '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. This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally.' The Council also approved a plan to establish an Afghanistan women's refugee team. FIFA is engaging directly with the relevant players, with women's sport banned in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. FIFA also announced a strengthening of its rules to tackle racism. Maximum fines in instances of racist abuse have been increased from one million Swiss francs to five million Swiss francs (£4.5m), and all confederations will be required to implement the 'three-step' protocol to deal with incidents of racism. FIFA also reserves the right to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against decisions in cases of racist abuse, and intervene in cases where it feels insufficient action has been taken by a national association.
