SME News UK. In a landmark decision aimed at accelerating the global growth of women\u2019s football, the FIFA Council has unanimously voted to expand the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, starting with the 2031 tournament.The expanded format will feature 104 matches across 12 groups, representing a significant increase from the 64 games played in the 2023 edition. This bold move is expected to offer greater representation and opportunity to emerging footballing nations while boosting development at all levels of the women\u2019s game.FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the decision as a pivotal step in growing the sport worldwide. \u201cThis is a chance for many nations to benefit from the global spotlight and further invest in their women\u2019s football structures,\u201d Infantino said. \u201cWe are committed to maintaining the momentum of progress in women\u2019s football.\u201dThe 2031 tournament\u2014the first under the new structure\u2014will be co-hosted by the United States and Mexico. The UK nations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are slated to host the 2035 edition, by which time the expanded format will be fully in place.Spain are the current reigning champions, having defeated England in the final of the 2023 Women\u2019s World Cup. The next edition of the tournament will be held in Brazil in 2027.Global players\u2019 union FIFPro welcomed the expansion, while emphasizing the need for inclusive and sustainable planning. \u201cThis reflects the growing popularity and reach of the women\u2019s game,\u201d a FIFPro spokesperson said. \u201cBut true progress depends on collaborative decision-making, better labour conditions, and investment at all tiers of the sport.\u201dAs FIFA continues its mission to elevate women\u2019s football, the expansion marks a historic commitment to inclusivity, opportunity, and long-term development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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SME News UK. In a landmark decision aimed at accelerating the global growth of women\u2019s football, the FIFA Council has unanimously voted to expand the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, starting with the 2031 tournament.The expanded format will feature 104 matches across 12 groups, representing a significant increase from the 64…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1239,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football"],"yoast_head":"\n