FIFA has introduced a new rule requiring all teams competing in its women’s tournaments to include at least one female head coach or assistant coach.
The policy, approved by the FIFA Council on Thursday, is aimed at boosting the presence of women in top-level coaching roles.
It will be enforced starting from competitions such as the FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups, as well as the Women’s Champions Cup.
According to FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis, teams will also be mandated to have a minimum of two female staff members on the bench.
She explained that the requirement will apply across all women’s competitions, from youth categories to senior tournaments.
“There are simply not enough women in coaching today.
“We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing visibility for women on our sidelines.
“The new FIFA regulations, combined with targeted development programmes, mark an important investment in both the current and future generations of female coaches,” she said.
Ellis highlighted the imbalance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia, where only 12 out of 32 head coaches were women, an indication, FIFA believes, that does not match the rapid growth of the women’s game globally.
She added that Sarina Wiegman was the only female coach to reach the latter stages of the tournament, eventually guiding England to a runner-up finish after the round of 16.
Further data cited by Ellis showed that women account for just five per cent of coaches across both men’s and women’s teams worldwide, based on findings from FIFA’s 2023 Member Associations Survey.
In addition, FIFA’s 2024 “Setting the Pace” report, which reviewed 86 women’s leagues globally, revealed that only 22 per cent of head coaching roles are held by women.
The governing body said the new measures form part of a broader, long-term plan to improve female representation in coaching and leadership positions, in line with the continued expansion of women’s football.
FIFA also noted that it has stepped up support initiatives in recent years, including offering scholarships to help women in elite leagues obtain UEFA Pro and A coaching licences.
