FIFA has approved new regulations requiring every team in its women’s competitions to include female coaches on the bench, in a move aimed at accelerating gender representation in football management.
The decision, taken by the FIFA Council, comes into immediate effect and will apply to upcoming tournaments, including the under-17 and under-20 Women’s World Cups as well as the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
It also extends across all women’s competitions organised by FIFA, covering both national teams and club football at youth and senior levels.
Under the new rules, each team must have at least two women in their technical staff. C
rucially, one of them must serve either as head coach or assistant coach, ensuring women are represented in key decision-making roles during matches.
The governing body says the measure is part of a broader effort to expand opportunities for women in coaching, where representation has remained limited despite the growth of the women’s game globally.
At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, only 12 of the 32 participating teams were led by female head coaches.
FIFA’s Chief Football Officer, Jill Ellis, said the new policy is designed to address that imbalance and create clearer pathways for women to rise through the coaching ranks.
“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,” FIFA chief football officer Jill Ellis said.
“The new FIFA regulations, combined with targeted development programs, mark an important investment in both the current and future generation of female coaches.”
FIFA says the regulation forms part of a long-term strategy that combines policy changes with investment in coach education and professional development.
The aim is to ensure that more women are equipped to take up leadership roles at the highest level of the sport.
The introduction of mandatory female representation on the bench is expected to have an immediate impact, particularly at youth tournaments, where emerging coaches will gain exposure and experience on the international stage.
For African football, the timing of the reform could be significant.
The next Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to begin on 25 July in Morocco, providing an early opportunity to observe how such initiatives may influence coaching structures on the continent.
FIFA hopes the new rules will lead to sustained progress ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, as it seeks to reshape the coaching landscape and ensure women are better represented in technical roles.
While the regulation has been welcomed as a step forward, its success will ultimately depend on how effectively it translates into long-term development and increased leadership opportunities for women in football.
