The FIFA took a key step to promote the development of female coaches around the world by approving a new regulation that requires that there be a female coach or, at least, an assistant coach in the National Teams and clubs. The measure will take effect from September of this year.
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This new regulation, approved this March 19 in the Council, seeks to increase the presence of women in the technical bodies of all teams that participate in FIFA competitions.
Sarina Wiegman was awarded as the best women's soccer manager in the world at the 2025 Ballon d'Or Gala. (Photo: EFE)
From this decision, it will be mandatory for clubs and teams to have at least one woman in a key position on the coaching staff. In addition, it is also required that at least one member of the medical staff be female and that at least two of the officials sitting on the team bench be female.
The first official competition in which these regulations will take effect will be this year in the Under 20 Women's World Cup, which will take place from September 5 to 27 in Poland.
In addition, it was confirmed that this regulation will be applied in the 2027 edition of the Women's World Cup to be held in Brazil.
"Today we do not have enough female coaches. We must redouble our efforts to promote change and create clear structures, expand opportunities and increase the visibility of women on the benches," said FIFA's general director of football, Jill Ellis.
On the other hand, it was reported that as part of the Women's Football Strategy, FIFA will develop a series of programs that directly aim at the training, support and growth opportunities of women's football with mentoring programs, both nationally and internationally, and training scholarships for coaches.
It should be noted that in the 2023 Women's World Cup, only 12 of the 32 participating teams had female coaches on their substitute benches.