FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, who today announced the expansion of the Women's World Cup field. (Photo: Soccerex/Flickr)

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When the next FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off for Germany 2011, it will be the last edition of the tournament with 16 teams.  Starting in 2015, the field will be expanded to include 24 nations, it was announced today.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke made the announcement from Robben Island, South Africa, citing the advancement the women's game had made around the world.

Under its current format, the top two teams from each of the four-four team groups make it to the World Cup's knock-out round.  Under the 24-team model, the top two teams would make it our of each of the six-four team groups, while the four third place finishers with the best results would also advance.

The location for the 2015 World Cup has yet to be announced.

The announcement is a great step for the women's game, as it will give a number of countries still developing their women's programs access to FIFA's biggest event (and the monies that go with it).  In both the women's and the men's games, we have seen expansion of the World Cup lead to an increase in quality of soccer in the developing world.  

As it concerns the women's game, there are also significant cultural barriers across the globe.  Adding World Cup births will help legitimize programs in countries where the women's game is still floundering.

And while it should go without saying, it bares mentioning:  This is an issue of morality.  While it may not currently be tenable to have a 32-nation Women's World Cup (because there may not enough developed programs across the world), the goal should be to give women footballers the same outlets afforded men.