Infantino said he expected a bigger tournament to drive investment in the game. “The expansion reaches far beyond the eight additional participating teams,” he said. “It means that, from now on, dozens more member associations will organize their women’s football program knowing they have a realistic chance of qualifying.”

But FIFA’s decision last month to expand the field, and to reopen the bidding process, will present significant organizational hurdles for the winner. The most serious will be a compressed timeline: The final vote on the 2023 host is planned for May 2020, leaving the host nation just over three years to complete preparations, construction and planning for an event that drew more than 1.1 million fans to a 24-team event in France this summer.

Belgium would have been the only European country to express its interest in hosting, joining Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand from Asia and Oceania; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia from South America; and South Africa. It is unlikely that all 10 countries will follow through with formal bids, but those that do will have to hurry.

The countries that have expressed interest have until Sept. 2 to confirm their intention to bid. Completed bid books must be submitted by Dec. 13, and FIFA has said it will conduct official inspections in January and February.

The United States, which won this year’s championship, has said it will not bid for the 2023 World Cup, and instead will focus on the 2027 event. U.S. Soccer’s president, Carlos Cordeiro, confirmed the American federation’s intentions in an open letter to members and fans in July.