FIFA has announced a major new rule change that will have a significant impact on the women’s game.
Going forward, every nation competing in a tournament will have to include at least one female head coach or assistant coach.
Every nation competing in a Fifa tournament will have to include at least one female head coach or assistant going forwardCredit: PA
Sarina Wiegman has managed England since 2021Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The decision was made at the Fifa Council on Thursday in a bid to increase the amount of female coaches in women’s professional football.
As part of the new requirements, at least two staff members on the bench of every team at matches must be female.
In addition, one of those will have to be in a head coach or assistant role.
The rule applies to all youth and senior tournaments, including those at club and international level.
It will debut at the Under-20 World Cup in Poland later this year before coming into effect at senior level next summer at the in Brazil.
At the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, only 12 of the 32 head coaches were female.
Seven of those 12 national teams are now managed by men.
Meanwhile, four countries previously managed by men now have a female head coach – including the USA, who appointed in 2024.
Emma Hayes is currently head coach of the US Women’s national teamCredit: AFP
Discussing the new regulations, Fifa’s chief football officer Jill Ellis explained: “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.
“The new Fifa regulations, combined with targeted development programmes, mark an important investment in the current and future generation of female coaches.”
will not be affected by the new rule, with still under contract until the end of the Women’s World Cup next summer.
Asked about the possibility of extending last month, Wiegman said: “No update. It’s pretty far away.
“We are in conversations all the time and we’re still very happy from both sides. We’re now really focusing on this qualification.
“We want to qualify and the best possible way is to do that in June. We’re going for that and let’s firstly do that.
“There is no distraction whatsoever. We want to really focus on this qualification. We’re really excited to get started.
“I haven’t heard anyone in my team or staff that has been occupied with that.”
The new regulation will also apply to Fifa’s club competitions – the Champions Cup and the .
became the first-ever winners of the Champions Cup last month when they beat Corinthians in the final at the Emirates Stadium.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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