The 2031 or 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup could be hosted by an African nation.
This comes after the FIFA Council approved a decision that only African countries (CAF) and North & Central American nations (CONCACAF) are allowed to bid for the 2031 edition. The next tournament (2035) will be a toss-up between CAF and Europe (UEFA).
This is good news for Africa, who have never hosted the women’s global football showpiece.
South Africa was part of the bidding process for the 2027 tournament but pulled out of the race in the early stages, and vowed to look into the 2031 competition.
Brazil has been awarded the rights to host the 2027 edition – and it will be the first time that the tournament is held in South America.
It will be the 10th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
And according to the FIFA President Ginni Infantino, the number of participants could be increased for the 2031 and 2035 editions.
Currently on 24 nations contest the trophy.
“The bidding processes offer the world of football a great opportunity to unite around a common goal. The principle of rotation around the world is obviously crucial for us. The decisions taken by the (FIFA) Council in relation to the 2031 and 2035 editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cups would allow countries from all over the world the chance to bid for the (FIFA Women’s) World Cup over a 12-year cycle, starting with Asia and Oceania back in 2023, proceeding with South America for 2027 and concluding with Africa, North and Central America and the Caribbean and Europe for 2031 and 2035. So, in line with the FIFA Statutes, the final decision will be taken by the FIFA Congress next year, in 2026. And maybe – maybe – will actually increase the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, as we did for the Men’s (FIFA) World Cup,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Only eight countries have hosted this tournament, which was first played in 1991: China (x2), Sweden, USA (x2), Germany, Canada, France and Australia and New Zealand.
The host nations for 2031 and 2035 are expected to be announced at the 76th FIFA Congress next year.
Furthermore, the FIFA Council has decided to start the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028, instead of the initial 2026.
There has been some innovation to the tournament, which will feature 19 of the world’s top clubs – with six participating in the play-in phase. The three winners will join the 13 other clubs in the next stage, which will have four groups of four each.
The top two from each group will progress to the knockout stage.
CAF will have two representatives at the tournament, and will get one play-in slot, which could see them having three teams at the competition. The same will also apply to AFC, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.
UEFA will have five slots and one play-in slot while OFC has only one play-in slot.
“Women’s football has reached new heights at national team level. And now we feel it is time for global competitions that showcase the best clubs from every corner of the globe. These FIFA competitions will stimulate growth, inspire athletes, create new rivalries, engage more and more fans and, of course, crown heroes. The FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will be a defining moment in the growth of the women’s game, giving the world’s top clubs the platform they deserve to compete against the best and put the club game in the global spotlight,” added Infantino.
The FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028 will be preceded by a new tournament, the FIFA Women’s Champions, which will be held in 2026. The six winners of the confederation club competitions will battle it out in this global showpiece and will take place in the years when the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup is not held.
The creation of the FIFA Women’s Champions means the CAF Women’s Champions League will offer a far more greater meaning to the clubs going forward. TP Mazembe of DR Congo are the current holders.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have won it twice while AS FAR of Morocco has lifted the title once.
For the FIFA Women’s Champions, the FIFA Council has approved a format which will see the AFC champions first taking on the OFC winner in Round 1, with the last team standing tackling the CAF Champions in Round 2.
The winners of round 2 will progress to the semi-finals to face the UEFA champions, while the CONCACAF champions will play the CONMEBOL champions.
The Final Four, comprising the semi-finals, the third-place play-off and the final, will take place on the following dates:
- FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026:
- 28 January 2026 to 1 February 2026
- FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027:
- 27 January to 31 January 2027
- FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2029:
- 24 January to 28 January 2029
By Matlhomola Morake
