FIFA has ruled that all women’s teams competing in its tournaments must now have at least one female head coach or assistant coach, www.aclsports.com reports.
The new regulations also require a minimum of two female staff members on the bench for all teams. Taking effect immediately, the rule will apply this year to the FIFA U17 and U20 Women’s World Cups in Morocco and Poland, as well as the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
The decision, approved at the FIFA Council meeting on 19 March 2026, forms part of FIFA’s broader strategy to match the rapid growth of women’s football with increased representation in technical and leadership roles. The rule applies across all youth and senior tournaments, including both club and national team competitions.
“There are simply not enough women in coaching today. We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines,” said FIFA’s Chief Football Officer, Jill Ellis.
Despite the global expansion of the women’s game, coaching positions remain largely male-dominated. At the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, only 12 of the 32 head coaches were women.
The new regulations are part of FIFA’s long-term plan, combining rule changes with sustained investment in coach education and professional development. FIFA aims to equip more women with the skills and opportunities to assume leadership roles at the highest levels of the sport, with hopes of seeing more female coaches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
