Every team in a FIFA women's competition will now be required to have at least one female head or assistant coach as part of sweeping new regulations from soccer's governing body, aimed at boosting the number of women coaching at the highest levels.
The regulations, approved by the FIFA Council on Thursday (19 March), come into effect with this year's U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups and the Women's Champions Cup, and significantly will include the Women's World Cup next year in Brazil.
The new regulations stipulate each team must have two female staff on the bench and will cover all FIFA women's tournaments, from youth to senior level.
"There are simply not enough women in coaching today," said FIFA's Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis.
"We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines.
Only 12 of the 32 head coaches at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia were women, a proportion FIFA says does not reflect the rapid growth of the women's game globally.
England's Sarina Wiegman was the only female coach remaining after the round of 16, and went on to guide the Lionesses to a runner-up finish.
FIFA's Member Associations Survey in 2023 reported that an average 5% of coaches in each of their member associations- among both male and female teams- were female.
Their 2024 'Setting the Pace' Benchmarking Report that surveyed 86 women's leagues across the globe found that only 22% of head coaches were female.
FIFA said the new rules are part of a long-term strategy to ensure that representation of women in technical and leadership roles keeps pace with the rapid growth of the women's game.
The global organisation has increased support for women's coaching in recent years, including, among other initiatives, providing scholarships for females in the Women's Super League 1 and 2 to obtain their UEFA Pro or A license.
Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (17 April) following a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, ra...
Australia and Japan signed contracts on Saturday (18 April) launching their landmark A$10 billion ($7 billion) dea...
Global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has shown signs of partial recovery after Iran announced it was open to commercial vessels during a li...
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Su...
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said his country could provide a “safe corridor” and “alternative route” for regional ...
The 2026 World Cup final is setting new records for sports ticketing costs, characterised by unprecedented price hikes and the debut of controversial sales models.
Türkiye secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1–0 away victory over Kosovo in the European qualifying play-off final, ending a 24-year absence from the tournament.
Tehran’s envoy in Mexico Abolfazi Pasandideh has called on the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to change its World Cup 2026 matches from the United States to Mexico.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday thanked FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, for reaffirming that the country’s 2026 World Cup host venues will remain unchanged, following violence that erupted after the killing of a major cartel leader.
The past 24 hours of the Russia-Ukraine war have seen a drastic escalation in both aerial bombardment and frontline losses.
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Supreme Leader in air strikes, triggering the Middle East conflict, at the end of February. A U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, however, remains in force.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
Netflix shares fell sharply on Friday after the streaming group issued a weaker-than-expected outlook and said chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings will step down from the board.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
Australia and Japan signed contracts on Saturday (18 April) launching their landmark A$10 billion ($7 billion) deal to supply Australia with warships, Tokyo's most consequential military sale since ending a military export ban in 2014.
European leaders have set out plans for a coordinated defensive mission to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once security conditions allow, following talks involving more than 40 countries.
NeaNearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea off Myanmar in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record, the United Nations Refugee Agency said on Friday.
Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest event of his African tour.
AmerAmerican businesses are preparing for a major moment next week as the U.S. government launches a long-awaited system to return billions in unlawfully collected tariffs.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment