FIFA Mandates Female Coach for Women's Teams

FIFA has introduced mandatory regulations requiring every team in its women's tournaments to include at least one female head coach or assistant coach, aiming to address the underrepresentation of women in top-level coaching roles. The FIFA Council approved the measures on Thursday in Zurich, with the rules taking effect immediately for upcoming events including the Under-17 and Under-20 Women's World Cups this year, the Women's Champions Cup, and the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

The policy applies across all FIFA women's competitions, encompassing youth and senior levels as well as national team and club events, such as the inaugural Women's Club World Cup in 2026. Teams must also have at least two female staff members in the technical area during matches, which can include the required coach, and one woman on their medical staff. Officials described the changes as a structural step to match the sport's growth with greater female involvement in leadership.

The initiative responds to persistent disparities in women's football. At the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, only 12 of the 32 teams had a female head coach, and six nations fielded no female...