A 48-team field puts the Women's World Cup in line with the men's tournament. The 2026 World Cup will be the first to welcome 48 teams, up from 32. More games inevitably means more revenue for FIFA and its individual federations, money that will get funneled down to the players.

The Women’s World Cup will increase to 48 teams in 2031 when the United States is expected to host the tournament, FIFA confirmed Friday.

FIFA has approved the creation of an Afghanistan women's refugee team that will compete in matches overseen by the world governing body.According to FIFA, the team -- composed of female players of Afghan nationality who obtained refugee status abroad -- would first operate under a one-year pilot phase,