FIFA has approved new regulations aimed at accelerating the development of women's football and increasing the number of women in leadership and technical positions.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that according to the decision adopted by the Council of the world football governing body, all teams participating in women's tournaments must include at least one female head coach or assistant coach within their technical staff.
The new rules will come into force starting with this year's U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups, as well as the Women's Champions Cup. Most significantly, this regulation will also apply to the Women's World Cup to be held in Brazil next year. According to the regulations, each team is required to have at least two female staff members on the substitutes' bench.
Jill Ellis, FIFA's Chief Football Officer, commented on the initiative:
"Currently, there are not enough women in the coaching field. We must accelerate this change by expanding opportunities and increasing the visibility of women."
Statistical data highlights the necessity of these changes. In the 2023 Women's World Cup held in Australia, only 12 out of the 32 head coaches were women. According to a 2023 FIFA report, women make up only 5% of coaches working within member associations.
This initiative is part of FIFA's broader strategy to professionalize women's football globally. By setting mandatory quotas for technical staff, the organization seeks to break the "glass ceiling" in sports management and coaching. These measures are expected to create a sustainable pipeline for female professionals, ensuring that the growth of the women's game is led by women at the highest levels of international competition.
