The Women’s World Cup is set to expand to 48 teams starting from the 2031 tournament, a decision approved by FIFA’s council. This expansion will significantly increase the scope of the tournament, with the competition mirroring the recently expanded men’s World Cup format. The 2035 edition will be hosted by the UK, and with 12 groups of four teams, it will feature over 100 matches. The UK tournament is expected to involve more host cities and stadiums, including iconic venues like Wembley, Hampden Park, and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Additionally, new stadiums in Manchester and Birmingham could also host matches, if they are completed in time.
The expansion comes as a result of FIFA’s belief that the women’s game has grown rapidly, warranting a larger World Cup to reflect its evolution. The 2023 Women’s World Cup saw the tournament increase from 24 to 32 teams, and the 2027 edition in Brazil will maintain that number. The 2031 tournament will be held in the United States, with no competing bids for either the 2031 or 2035 events. The decision to award the US and UK hosting rights is expected to be a formality, given the lack of competition.
In parallel with the announcement of the expanded Women’s World Cup, FIFA has also approved a new three-pillar strategy to support Afghan women’s football. This initiative will provide project-specific support to women and girls in Afghanistan, taking into account the challenges posed by the country’s political situation. FIFA’s approach also includes diplomatic engagement with relevant actors in the Taliban-led government, with the aim of improving conditions for women’s football in Afghanistan.
A significant component of the strategy is the creation of a women’s refugee team made up of Afghan players who have been evacuated from the country. This team will participate in friendlies and tournaments organized by FIFA, providing a supportive environment that prioritizes player safety and wellbeing. The establishment of this team is seen as a crucial step in ensuring Afghan women’s footballers continue to have opportunities despite the challenges they face at home. However, it is understood that the team will not be eligible to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, as Afghanistan is not entered into the qualification campaign for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The refugee team will operate on a pilot basis for one year, after which its effectiveness and long-term viability will be assessed. FIFA has expressed hope that this model could be used for other refugee groups in the future. Khalida Popal, the founder of the Afghanistan women’s national team, expressed pride in being part of the creation of FIFA’s first-ever refugee football team. She remains hopeful that FIFA will eventually amend its statutes to recognize the refugee team as the official Afghanistan women’s national team.
The decision by FIFA to establish the Afghan women’s refugee team marks a significant step in the ongoing fight for gender equality in sport. It highlights the persistence and advocacy of Afghan women players who have tirelessly pushed for recognition and opportunities to play, despite facing severe challenges. Yet, this initiative is not without its criticisms, as some believe it does not fully address the systemic gender discrimination faced by the Afghanistan Football Federation, which continues to ban women from playing football. Furthermore, matches played by the Afghan women’s refugee team will not count toward official rankings, limiting the team’s competitive opportunities. Nonetheless, the formation of the team remains a hopeful symbol of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
