October 7 – FIFA has announced it will propose expanding the women’s Olympic soccer tournament from 12 teams to 16, as well as the addition of futsal and beach soccer to the games in a mission to further elevate women’s football and diversify the sport’s Olympic offerings.
As part of its ‘Strategic Objectives for 2023-2027’, the global governing body outlined ambitions for expanding the women’s Olympic football tournament from 12 to 16 teams, in line with the format used in the men’s tournament since 1996.
This potential expansion comes amid a major push globally for greater equality and representation in women’s sports. The women’s Olympic football tournament has steadily grown since its inception at the 1996 Atlanta Games, starting with just eight teams and is regarded as the second most-important women’s national team competition globally, but only has a limited field at the finals.
That number was increased to 10 teams for the 2004 Athens Olympics and finally to 12 in 2008, where it has remained. FIFA’s proposal would mark the first expansion in two decades, reflecting the growth of women’s football globally and its increasing popularity at the professional and grassroots levels.
In addition to expanding the women’s tournament, FIFA is also advocating for the inclusion of futsal and beach soccer in the Games.
FIFA said that these proposed additions align with its goal of diversifying football and “creating more opportunities for athletes to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage”.
FIFA hopes these changes will be implemented in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“FIFA intends to make recommendations to the International Olympic Committee to change the format of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament at the Olympic Games, namely concerning an increase in the number of teams from the current 12 teams to 16 teams, to mirror the men’s tournament,” FIFA’s Strategic Objectives said.
“Given participation levels worldwide, FIFA will also propose that both futsal and beach soccer be considered as distinct football disciplines at the Olympic Games going forward.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735069762labto1735069762ofdlr1735069762owedi1735069762sni@g1735069762niwe.1735069762yrrah1735069762