The Future of Women's Soccer: Everything You Need to Know About the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup
The landscape of international women's soccer is reaching new heights. Scheduled to be the 11th edition of the tournament, the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup promises to be a historic milestone for the sport. Not only will it feature a massive expansion in the number of participating nations, but it will also be hosted across a diverse range of territories, marking a new era of global accessibility for the game.
As the popularity of women's football continues to surge, FIFA has responded by evolving the tournament format to accommodate more talent and more fans. From the expansion of the playing field to the multi-nation hosting arrangement, here is a comprehensive look at what to expect from this landmark event.
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Key Facts
- Tournament Edition: 11th FIFA Women's World Cup.
- Host Nations: United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.
- Expanded Field: 48 national teams (up from 32).
- Total Matches: 104 games will be played.
- Historic Milestone: First time the tournament is hosted by more than two countries.
A Historic Expansion: 48 Teams Take the Stage
Following the success of the 2023 tournament, FIFA has officially decided to expand the 2031 edition to include 48 national teams. This decision, confirmed in May 2025, reflects the rapid growth of women's soccer globally. This expansion brings the tournament closer to the scale of the men's World Cup, providing more opportunities for nations from all six FIFA confederations to compete on the world stage.
New Tournament Format
With more teams comes a more complex and exciting structure. The tournament will move away from its previous format to a more robust schedule:
- Group Stage: 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four teams each.
- Knockout Progression: The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a new Round of 32.
- Increased Match Count: The total number of matches will rise from 64 to 104.
- Longer Path to Glory: Teams reaching the final will now play a maximum of eight matches, compared to seven in previous editions.
Multi-Nation Hosting: A Continental Celebration
The 2031 tournament will be a collaborative effort across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The hosting duties will be shared by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.
This arrangement is unprecedented, as it marks the first time a Women's World Cup will be hosted by more than two countries. Each host brings a unique legacy to the event:
- United States: This will be the third time the U.S. hosts the tournament, following the landmark editions in 1999 and 2003.
- Mexico: This marks Mexico's first time hosting the Women's World Cup. Mexico becomes only the seventh country to host both the men's and women's versions of the tournament.
- Costa Rica: This will be the first senior FIFA World Cup held in Costa Rica. Notably, Costa Rica will become the first nation to host all three FIFA Women's World Cup tiers, having previously hosted the U-17 and U-20 editions.
- Jamaica: This represents the first time Jamaica has hosted a FIFA tournament and the first time a senior FIFA World Cup will take place in the Caribbean.
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Venues and Stadium Requirements
To accommodate the massive increase in matches and fans, FIFA has set high standards for stadium capacities. While specific host cities are still being finalized through the bidding process, the requirements include venues capable of holding 20,000 spectators for most matches, 40,000 for semifinals, and 65,000 for the opening and final matches.
Potential Host Cities and Stadiums
The bidding process has highlighted several major hubs. In the United States, over 30 regions have shown interest, including major cities like Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, and Dallas. Mexico has expressed interest from cities such as Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. In Costa Rica, San José is the primary interested city, while Kingston is the focal point for Jamaica.
| Country | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | New York/New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | 82,500 |
| United States | Dallas | AT&T Stadium ‡ | 80,000 |
| United States | Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | 70,240 |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Estadio Banorte | 87,523 |
| Mexico | Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | 53,500 |
| Costa Rica | San José | Costa Rica National Stadium | 35,000 |
| Jamaica | Kingston | Independence Park | 37,500 |
‡ Denotes an indoor stadium with climate control.
Qualification and Participating Teams
While the four host nations—United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica—have qualified automatically, the remaining 44 spots will be determined through continental qualifying competitions organized by FIFA's six confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe).
Current Qualified Hosts
| Team | Qualified As | Appearance Number | Previous Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Co-host | 10th/11th | Champions |
| Mexico | Co-host | 4th/5th | Group Stage |
| Costa Rica | Co-host | 3rd/4th | Group Stage |
| Jamaica | Co-host | 1st/4th | Round of 16 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams will play in the 2031 Women's World Cup?
The tournament will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the 32 teams that participated in previous editions.
Which countries are hosting the 2031 tournament?
The tournament will be co-hosted by four nations: the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.
What is the new tournament format for 2031?
The 48 teams will be split into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to a Round of 32 knockout stage.
Will there be more matches in 2031 than in previous years?
Yes. Due to the expansion, the total number of matches will increase from 64 to 104 games.
Is this the first time the Women's World Cup is being held in the Caribbean?
Yes, with Jamaica serving as a co-host, this will be the first time a senior FIFA World Cup takes place in the Caribbean.