FIFA reportedly wants 32-team Women's World Cup approved within days, altering 2023 bidding

Cassandra Negley
·WNBA and women's college basketball reporter
Updated
LYON, FRANCE - JULY 07: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Megan Rapinoe of the USA lifts the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy following her team's victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final match between The United States of America and The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 07, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
FIFA wants to fast-track plans to expand the Women's World Cup by eight teams and have it done by the 2023 cycle. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

FIFA is moving ahead at a frenetic pace with its plan to expand the Women’s World Cup from 24 teams to 32. The governing body of soccer has asked its ruling council to fast-track the move and approve it within days without a formal meeting, according to reports by the Associated Press and ESPN FC.

Doing so would push back the bidding process for the 2023 World Cup, which is currently slated to be decided in March 2020.

FIFA to fast-track World Cup expansion

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said earlier this month FIFA was looking to expand the tournament by eight teams and proposed doubling the prize money to $60 million. Before the U.S. won the final, he told reporters the expansion was based on the “evidence” of success on the women’s side, though he said it “probably” should have been done already.

Via the Associated Press:

“FIFA has a responsibility to ensure that its women’s competitions not only showcase women’s football at the highest level, but also act as a catalyst to grow the game,” council members have been told.

He mentioned urgency to get it done in his initial remarks, and now is acting on it, according to documents the AP and ESPN FC reviewed. Infantino wants to get it approved now because the 37-member FIFA Council doesn’t meet in person until Oct. 23-24 in Shanghai. If approved now, there is more time for FIFA to re-confirm interest from bidders for the next World Cup and accept more. How they allocated the additional spots would be determined at a later date, per the AP.

The addition of eight more teams will continue to grow the game. Countries will put more money into their women’s programs because there is a higher chance they’ll make it to the tournament. And the depth of talented teams will only increase. The USWNT’s second consecutive title was more impressive because of how convincingly the team defeated strong teams.

Count superstar Alex Morgan in.

Women’s World Cup bidding could be pushed back

Not even FIFA knows where the next Women’s World Cup will be held in four years. Which is incredible and a sharp distinction from how the organization handles its men’s World Cup.

The hosts for the 2018 and 2022 men’s World Cup (Russia and Qatar, respectively) were announced in December 2010 — and entire cycle ahead of the tournament. The 2026 joint bid from the U.S., Canada and Mexico was accepted last year.

Bidding for the 2023 Women’s World Cup was scheduled to take place in March 2020 after bids are due by Oct. 4. Instead, per the Associated Press, if the expansion were to pass within the week, FIFA would shift the schedule. The nine federations preparing bids would be contacted and asked to re-confirm interest. Other federations would also be asked to enter.

Bids would be submitted in December, a FIFA-run evaluation would be released in April and a vote would be taken in May, per the AP. The winning country would have three years from acceptance to hosting. The tournament is scheduled from July 10-Aug. 20.

Who has bid for the 2023 tournament?

Nine federations are reportedly ready to bid on a 24-team tournament: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea in a potential joint bid with North Korea.

South Africa qualified for its first Women’s World Cup in 25 years. If its bid were accepted, it would host the continent’s first Women’s World Cup. The country hosted the men’s World Cup in 2010.

The women’s tournament has also never been in South America. China and the U.S. have each hosted twice. Germany hosted in 2011, Canada in 2015 and France this month.

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