FIFA to require female coaches across all teams at its women’s competitions | OneFootball

FIFA has introduced a new rule requiring female coaches across teams in its women’s competitions, aiming to increase representation.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the FIFA Council approved the measure on Thursday. It starts at this year’s Under-17 and Under-20 Women’s World Cups and the Copa de Campeones Femenina, and will apply to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Each team must include at least one female head coach or assistant. The regulation also requires two women on every technical staff, and covers all FIFA women’s tournaments from youth level to senior.

The initiative sits within FIFA’s wider strategy to match the game’s rapid growth with more women in technical and leadership roles. That plan combines rule changes with sustained investment in coach education and professional development.

At the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, 12 of 32 head coaches were women, a record. Sarina Wiegman was the only female coach after the round of 16, guiding England to second place as Spain won under Jorge Vilda.

FIFA’s general manager of football Jill Ellis said the sport lacks female coaches, urged stronger efforts to build clear structures and expand opportunities, and said the new rules and targeted programmes are a significant investment in their present and future.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo