Women’s World Cup expanded to 32 teams

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be expanded to a 32-team tournament.

The FIFA Council unanimously agreed on Wednesday to a proposal to expand the number of teams taking part from 24 to 32 with immediate effect from the next edition of the tournament.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “The expansion reaches far beyond the eight additional participating teams. It means that, from now on, dozens more member associations will organise their women’s football programme knowing they have a realistic chance of qualifying.

“The Women’s World Cup is the most powerful trigger for the professionalisation of the women’s game, but it comes but once every four years and is only the top of a much greater pyramid.”

Nine countries – Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea – have bid to stage the 2023 tournament.

The host nation is expected to be announced next May.