Fifa has expressed its delight with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board's decision to approve a proposal allowing 16 women's and 12 men's teams to compete in the Olympic Football Tournaments at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28). This marks a significant milestone for women's football and a strong endorsement of women's sports.
The expansion of the women's tournament underscores the shared commitment of FIFA, the IOC, and LA28 to elevate women's sports, celebrate the strength of women's football in the United States, and create more opportunities for players and nations on the global stage.
"Fifa has always believed in the power of women's football, and today's decision by the IOC Executive Board is a positive step," said Fifa President Gianni Infantino. "Our vision is clear: we are investing in and expanding opportunities for women's football at every level. More teams on the Olympic stage mean more role models, more inspiration, and more impact."
"This development reflects our shared understanding that women's football deserves greater representation and visibility at the Olympic Games. We thank the IOC for the fruitful discussions that will make LA28 a groundbreaking event, and we will continue to work with our partners to incorporate futsal and beach soccer into the Olympic program."
Fifa Secretary General Mattias Grafström added, "Fifa has been working on increasing the number of women's teams at the Olympics for some time. On behalf of Fifa, I would like to thank the IOC administration for their collaboration with us over the past months to prepare for this groundbreaking decision.
"We are very pleased with the outcome, but we will continue our committed work across all relevant areas of the women's game, including competitions, technical aspects, and the regulatory landscape, to unlock its undeniable potential worldwide."
Fifa has consistently advocated for the expansion of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament, including making a formal request to increase the number of women's teams from 12 to 16 ahead of Paris 2024. This request aligns with Goal 7 of Fifa's Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023/2027, which calls for more opportunities for women and girls in football at all levels.
This decision builds on the success of the Fifa Women's World Cup 2023™, which expanded from 24 to 32 teams, resulting in record-breaking engagement and showcasing emerging talent from around the world. The tournament's expansion increased interest, with eight debutant nations and an additional 184 players having the chance to perform on the global stage.