World football governing body FIFA has given the green light for the Women’s World Cup to be expanded from 32 to 48 teams, in line with their male counterparts.

This change will come into play from the 2031 edition after FIFA’s Council approved the proposal at a virtual meeting 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,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

FIFA further confirmed that 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.

Africa was represented by four teams at the 2023 tournament in New Zealand and Australia, and will certainly have more slots in 2031.

“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 stated.

Brazil will host the 2027 Women’s World Cup and will retain the current format of 32 teams.

Four years later, in 2031, the United States of America (USA) is the frontrunner to host the tournament as the lone bidder. The USA previously hosted the tournament in 1999 and 2003.

“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 (to expand) ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women’s football globally,” added Infantino.