FIFA has approved a major expansion of the Women’s World Cup, increasing the number of participating teams to 48 starting from the 2031 edition.
The decision, announced following a FIFA Council meeting on Friday, comes in response to the rapid growth of the women’s game globally.
The 2031 tournament is set to be hosted by the United States, while the UK is expected to host the expanded event in 2035. The new format will feature 12 groups of four teams and more than 100 matches, aligning with the format used in the expanded men’s World Cup.
FIFA’s decision follows consultation with its continental confederations and reflects the growing competitiveness and popularity of women’s football. The tournament grew from 24 to 32 teams in 2023, and the 2027 edition in Brazil will maintain that number.
The 2035 tournament in the UK may require additional host cities and stadiums, with venues like Wembley, Hampden Park, and the Principality Stadium likely candidates. Potential future stadiums such as Manchester United’s proposed new ground and Birmingham City’s planned 62,000-seater stadium could also be included if completed in time.
Additionally, FIFA has approved a three-pillar strategy to support Afghan women’s football, including the creation of a refugee team composed of evacuated Afghan players. This team will be eligible to take part in FIFA-organized friendlies and tournaments. However, Afghanistan has not been entered into the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, meaning it is unlikely to participate in the 2027 World Cup.
Azerbaijan has been selected to host the 2026 European Championship and World Cup in Ski Mountaineering, marking a significant step in the development of winter sports in the country.
FIBA Europe has announced that the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025 will take place in Tbilisi, Georgia, from August 8-16, 2025. The Georgian Basketball Federation was announced as a host.
FIFA announced that the winners of this year’s 32-team Club World Cup, set to take place in the U.S. from June 14 to July 13, will receive up to $125 million in prize money, as part of a total prize pool of $1 billion for the tournament.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate phone calls on Saturday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to talk about bilateral ties as well as regional and global topics.
Ethiopia’s Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday the country’s first death linked to mpox, with five more cases still active. No new infections or recoveries were reported in the past 24 hours.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific allies Saturday they won’t be left alone against growing military and economic pressure from China—but they must also boost their own defense efforts.
Iran said on Saturday that it has officially received a new nuclear deal proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, delivered by Oman during a diplomatic visit to Tehran.
A confidential IAEA report reveals Iran conducted secret nuclear activities using undeclared material at several sites, raising serious non-compliance concerns.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
An international academic conference titled "Islamophobia: Exposing Prejudice and Destroying Stigma" has officially opened in the capital of Azerbaijan, bringing together global scholars, experts, and policymakers to address the rise and consequences of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate phone calls on Saturday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to talk about bilateral ties as well as regional and global topics.
Ethiopia’s Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday the country’s first death linked to mpox, with five more cases still active. No new infections or recoveries were reported in the past 24 hours.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific allies Saturday they won’t be left alone against growing military and economic pressure from China—but they must also boost their own defense efforts.
A confidential IAEA report reveals Iran conducted secret nuclear activities using undeclared material at several sites, raising serious non-compliance concerns.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can temporarily end legal protections for more than 500000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, exposing them to possible deportation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate phone calls on Saturday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to talk about bilateral ties as well as regional and global topics.
Ethiopia’s Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday the country’s first death linked to mpox, with five more cases still active. No new infections or recoveries were reported in the past 24 hours.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific allies Saturday they won’t be left alone against growing military and economic pressure from China—but they must also boost their own defense efforts.
Iran said on Saturday that it has officially received a new nuclear deal proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, delivered by Oman during a diplomatic visit to Tehran.
A confidential IAEA report reveals Iran conducted secret nuclear activities using undeclared material at several sites, raising serious non-compliance concerns.
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