Fifa rules women's teams must have female coaches

We have to think of creative ways to get women into coaching - Hayes Every team in Fifa's women's football tournaments must include at least one female head coach or assistant coach following the introduction of new regulations. The requirements will come into effect during the under-17s and under-20s Women's World Cup and Women's Champions Cup competitions this year. The decision was made at the Fifa Council on Thursday, and discussed the long-term strategy of female representation in coaching. Under the new ruling, at least two staff members on the bench of every team at matches must be female, with one in an assistant coach or head coach role. The rule applies to all youth and senior tournaments, including clubs and national teams. Are WSL clubs overlooking English female coaches? Lack of female coaches 'a massive issue' - Hayes At the 2023 Women's World Cup, 12 of the 32 head coaches were female, including England manager Sarina Wiegman. "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," said Fifa's chief football officer Jill Ellis. "The new Fifa regulations, combined with targeted development programmes, mark an important investment in the current and future generation of female coaches." Fifa hopes these new regulations will see a rapid increase in female representation, including at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. Among some of the most high-profile female coaches is London-born Emma Hayes, who is joined by assistant Denise Reddy at the United States. In 2024, Hayes told BBC Sport that a lack of female coaches in English football is "a massive issue" and urged the game's administrators to "come up with more creative ways" to address it. Other female English coaches at international level include Gemma Grainger at Norway, Casey Stoney at Canada and Carla Ward at the Republic of Ireland. Canadian Rhian Wilkinson led Wales to their first major tournament at Euro 2025 last summer, while Dutchwoman Wiegman has guided England to back-to-back European titles and has been named the Fifa best women's coach of the year on four occasions. Wiegman was the only female coach in the quarter-final stage of the 2023 Women's World Cup. Speaking at that time , she said: "Of course what we hope is to get more female coaches at the top level and that the balance gets better than it is right now. "Males are welcome too but if the balance is better than hopefully that will inspire more women to get involved in coaching." Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Villa finish off Lille to reach Europa League last eight Farewell number 18, hello number six - inside Man Utd's midfielder hunt Littler fights back from 5-0 down to stun Price A new spin on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Follow Greg James on his most gruelling challenge yet Revisit This Life and celebrate 30 years of a 1990s classic Join Shazia Mirza as she shares her journey with Islam The Man Utd prodigy still too young to play senior football How Gray is proving a shining light in Tottenham's season of turmoil 'I thought I'd be bleeped by BBC' - but Hunt's words resonate Salah scores 50th Champions League goal with 'vintage' strike Video Salah scores 50th Champions League goal with 'vintage' strike Newcastle collapse at Nou Camp as Barcelona score seven. Video Newcastle collapse at Nou Camp as Barcelona score seven Weekly sports quiz: Who is youngest top-flight scorer? Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory... Video Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory... Afcon final chaos - key questions answered What's behind Super League's injury crisis? Why ex-Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d'Or contention at Bayern 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Video 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Inside the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.