With FIFA officially confirming the expansion of the Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2031, the game has changed for countries like India to play FIFA World Cup
The opportunity is clear. Now, it’s about whether India seizes it.
The Meteoric Rise of Women’s Football
The evolution of women’s football has been nothing short of extraordinary. From just 12 teams in the inaugural 1991 edition to 32 teams in 2023, and now a 48-team structure confirmed for 2031, FIFA has made its commitment to women’s football loud and clear.
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The 2023 edition, hosted across Australia and New Zealand, was a watershed moment. Generating over USD 500 million in revenue and breaking viewership records globally, the tournament demonstrated the commercial and competitive viability of women’s football. For a sport that lagged in global recognition just two decades ago, the growth has been breathtaking.
Crucially, the rapid rise of women’s football contrasts with the men’s game. It took the men’s World Cup almost a century—from 1930 to 2022—to reach the 48-team format. Women’s football is doing it in under 40 years, a testament to its accelerating popularity and the global push for gender equity in sports.
Asia Rising: The Expanding Powerhouse
Asia has emerged as a key player in this transformation. Japan’s iconic 2011 World Cup triumph and consistent performances by China, Korea Republic, and Australia have elevated the region’s status. At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, six Asian nations featured. With expansion to 48 teams in 2031, Asia’s allotment is expected to increase from 6 to 8 or even 9 slots.
This opens doors for nations like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand—who’ve already debuted on the world stage—and more crucially, for India, currently ranked 69th in the world and 13th in Asia. Bhaichung Bhutia’s belief stems from the fact that the gap between India and qualification isn’t as wide as it appears—if action is taken now.
Where India Stands: Between Promise and Pause
India’s women’s national team, the Blue Tigresses, has seen flashes of promise. The team reached a high of 53 in the FIFA Rankings in 2020, but since then, has stagnated. Despite the introduction of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) in 2016, the system remains hampered by:
- Weak grassroots infrastructure
- Lack of elite development pathways
- Limited domestic competition and scouting
- Insufficient international exposure
- Minimal financial investment compared to men’s football
Currently, India sits behind regional competitors such as Myanmar, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and Uzbekistan—teams who are either investing more aggressively or consistently playing stronger fixtures.
Recent Developments: Glimpses of Momentum
There are signs of progress. India is set to play two international friendlies against Uzbekistan (ranked 50th) in Bengaluru on May 30 and June 3, 2025, as preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. This is a critical step. India has a tough group—featuring Thailand, Iraq, Mongolia, and Timor-Leste—but progression to the Asian Cup will be an essential milestone in the larger journey toward World Cup qualification.
The roster includes emerging talents like Manisha Kalyan, who made history by scoring in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and experienced players like Anju Tamang and Grace Dangmei. The challenge lies in turning individual brilliance into team coherence.
Why the Women Have a Better Shot Than the Men
There’s a compelling case for why the women’s team has a clearer path than the men:
- Ranking Gap: India’s women are 13th in Asia; the men are 22nd. The women are significantly closer to the Asian top 10, where World Cup berths become viable.
- Fewer Barriers: Women’s football globally is more egalitarian and still in a growth phase, meaning the competitive parity is wider, offering more chances to developing teams.
- Expanded Format: The jump to 48 teams will likely include 8–9 Asian slots. India only needs to climb 4–5 ranks in Asia to be in contention.
- Regional Rivalries: India has already been competitive against the likes of Iran, Thailand, and Uzbekistan. These are beatable teams with focused preparation.
What India Needs: A Roadmap to 2031
If India wants to take advantage of this moment, a national strategic blueprint is imperative. It must focus on five key areas:
- Grassroots Development
- School and community-based participation initiatives targeting rural and urban youth, especially in football-rich states like Manipur, Odisha, and Mizoram.
- Elite Youth Programs
- Build U14, U17, and U20 academies with scientific training, proper nutrition, and exposure tours, modelled on Korea DPR’s successful programs.
- Strengthening the IWL
- Extend the season, ensure minimum match guarantees, and offer financial support to clubs. East Bengal FC’s increased investment in their women’s team is a good example.
- Regular International Fixtures
- Arrange at least 8–10 international friendlies per year against teams in the 30–70 ranking bracket.
- Club and Federation Collaboration
- Incentivize ISL and I-League clubs to establish women’s teams. If 8–10 major clubs commit, the IWL will evolve from a token league to a genuine feeder system.
What’s at Stake: A Shot at History
If India can qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2026 and finish among the top 8, it will be a significant step toward World Cup qualification. But the real goal is 2031—when the expanded format gives India its best ever chance to appear on the global stage.
This is not fantasy. Nations like the Philippines and Vietnam have already done it. And with the right planning, India can join them. Manisha Kalyan could become the Sunil Chhetri of Indian women’s football—but she needs a team and a system to back her.
The Global Picture: Women’s Football Beyond Borders
Globally, the expansion to 48 teams means more representation, more diversity, and more opportunity. Young girls across the world—especially in football-developing nations—will see a pathway that didn’t exist before. The Women’s World Cup will no longer be about the USA, Germany, and Japan alone; it will be about Colombia, Nigeria, Thailand, and hopefully, India.
As Bhaichung Bhutia rightly said, the Indian women’s team stands a better chance than the men of reaching a FIFA World Cup in the near future. The infrastructure gaps are still large—but the qualification door has been opened. Whether India walks through it will depend on what happens now, not in 2030.
The next decade must be about building a real ecosystem—not chasing headlines but laying a foundation. The roadmap is there. The players are ready. The world is watching.
And 2031? It might just be the year when the Blue Tigresses roar on the world’s biggest football stage.
