FIFA has adopted a new rule requiring all teams in women's tournaments to have a female head coach or assistant coach, effective from the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in September.
The FIFA Council has implemented a landmark regulation that mandates all teams competing in women's tournaments organized by FIFA to have either a female head coach or assistant coach. This rule is set to apply across all levels of competition, including youth and senior tournaments, national team fixtures, and club competitions, marking a significant move toward promoting gender equality in sports management. The new regulation is expected to first impact the Under-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Poland this September and will later extend to significant future events, including the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the inaugural women’s Club World Cup.
FIFA's initiative comes in response to the lingering disparity in coaching roles within women's football, highlighting a current scenario where the majority of coaching positions are occupied by men. For instance, during the recent 2023 Women’s World Cup, only 12 out of the 32 head coaches were female, indicating a critical need for more female representation in coaching. This regulation is part of FIFA's broader strategy to ensure that the growth of women's football is accompanied by an increase in female presence in technical and leadership positions.
