Cameroon women’s national team head coach, Jean Baptiste Bisseck, has commended FIFA for its decision to increase the number of participating teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to 48 from 2031, describing the move as a major boost for African nations aiming to make their mark on the global stage.

The next edition of the tournament in 2027 will feature 32 teams, marking the final time that number will be used. The expansion to 48 teams from 2031 is expected to create more qualifying pathways for emerging football nations across all continents—including Africa.

More Hope for African Nations

Speaking after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Nigeria in a friendly played in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Bisseck acknowledged the growth of women’s football across the continent and expressed optimism that Cameroon would be among the beneficiaries of the expanded format.

“It is a good thing that FIFA is trying to give more opportunities to African nations,” Bisseck told journalists. “Women’s football in Africa is growing, and this is a very positive development. We in Cameroon will work hard to be among the teams that take advantage of this new opportunity.”

Bisseck’s comments come at a time when African powerhouses such as Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Ghana, and Zambia have dominated continental qualification in recent years. The increased slots could level the playing field for teams like Cameroon that narrowly missed out on major tournaments.

Cameroon's Goalie Reflects on Nigeria Loss

Meanwhile, Cameroon’s goalkeeper Ange Gabriel Bawou shared her thoughts on the Abeokuta friendly, admitting that her team must learn from the loss and correct the weaknesses exposed by the Super Falcons.

“We have no reason to complain about the result. Matches between Nigeria and Cameroon are always intense, and this was no different,” Bawou said.
“We’ll return home, assess what went wrong, and work hard to correct our errors. Despite not qualifying for the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco, we’re proud we gave Nigeria a strong challenge.”

With FIFA’s expansion plans opening up new opportunities, Cameroon’s women’s team is aiming to return stronger in future competitions, inspired by renewed possibilities and a vision to reclaim their spot among Africa’s elite.