All teams competing in a FIFA women’s tournament will be required to have a female head coach or assistant coach, according to revolutionary regulations passed by football’s governing organization at its council meeting Thursday.
The change will take effect for all youth and senior tournaments, national team contests, and club competitions, beginning with the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland in September.
It will also be used in the second edition of the Women’s Champions Cup, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the first women’s Club World Cup in two years.
In its statement, FIFA stated that the initiative is part of its broader strategy “to ensure that the rapid growth of the women’s game is matched by an increased representation of women in technical and leadership roles.”
Despite the rise of the women’s game, coaching jobs remain overwhelmingly male: only 12 of the 32 head coaches at the 2023 Women’s World Cup were female.
“There are simply not enough women in coaching today,” said Jill Ellis, FIFA’s chief football officer and former United States national team head coach.
“We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines.
“The new FIFA regulations, combined with targeted development programs, mark an important investment in both the current and future generation of female coaches.”
The new guidelines will also need at least two female employees on the bench, including the mandated coach.
Teams will also be obliged to have one woman on their medical team.
