FIFA INTRODUCES MANDATORY FEMALE COACHING RULE IN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

All teams participating in women’s tournaments organised by FIFA will now be required to appoint either a female head coach or assistant coach, following the approval of new regulations at the football governing body’s council meeting on Thursday.

The rule will apply across all levels, including youth and senior tournaments, national team competitions, and club competitions, and will take effect at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland this September.

It will also be implemented at the second edition of the Women’s Champions Cup, the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, and the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup scheduled for two years’ time.

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In a statement, FIFA said the move is part of its wider plan “to ensure that the rapid growth of the women’s game is matched by an increased representation of women in technical and leadership roles.”

Despite the expansion of women’s football globally, coaching roles remain largely dominated by men. At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, only 12 out of 32 head coaches were women.

“There are simply not enough women in coaching today,” said FIFA’s chief football officer and former United States national team head coach, Jill Ellis.

“We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines.

“The new FIFA regulations, combined with targeted development programmes, mark an important investment in both the current and future generation of female coaches.”

Under the new guidelines, teams must also have at least two female staff members on the bench, which may include the required coach.

Additionally, each team will be required to include at least one woman in its medical staff.