After the success recorded in the 2019 edition held In France, the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has announced that it will expand the Women’s World Cup to 32 teams. 

The new format will be brought in for the next Women’s World Cup in 2023, with a host country still to be decided.

The United States, who defeated the Lionesses of England coached by Phil Neville in the semi finals went on to win this year’s 24-team edition, beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final, the second time in a row.

“The astounding success of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France made it very clear that this is the time to keep the momentum going and take concrete steps to foster the growth of women’s football,” FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino said. 

In the US alone, 15 million viewers tuned in to watch the defending champions beat the Netherlands. Some networks reported that more people had watched the women’s final than the men’s 2018 World Cup final.

England’s loss to Sweden also set a new record for women’s football in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 11.7 million viewers tuning in.

Bidding for the 2023 edition is already underway to find a host, with the likes of Nigeria, Japan, Australia and a potential joint venture from North and South Korea on the shortlist.