FIFA approves expansion of Women's World Cup to 32 teams

The Women's World Cup will expand to 32 teams for the next tournament in 2023, FIFA announced Wednesday.

The FIFA Council voted unanimously to increase the number of participants from 24, with president Gianni Infantino citing the "astounding success" at the tournament in France this summer as a driving factor behind the decision.

"The astounding success of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup in France made it very clear that this is the time to keep the momentum going and take concrete steps to foster the growth of women's football," Infantino said. "I am glad to see this proposal - the first of several - becoming a reality."

"The expansion reaches far beyond the eight additional participating teams; it means that, from now on, dozens more member associations will organize their women's football program knowing they have a realistic chance of qualifying. The FIFA Women's World Cup is the most powerful trigger for the professionalization of the women's game, but it comes but once every four years and is only the top of a much greater pyramid.

"In the meantime, we all have a duty to do the groundwork and strengthen women's football development infrastructure across all confederations."

The world football governing body explained that the decision was made outside of an official meeting to not disturb the bidding process for the next edition of the tournament.

FIFA, which expects nine bids to be submitted before the deadline in December, will announce the host nation in May 2020.