Sports 29 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
FIFA Mandates Female Coaches for Upcoming Women's Tournaments
FIFA has introduced new rules requiring every participating team in major women's championships to have a female head coach or assistant coach, alongside at least two female officials on the bench. This initiative aims to boost women's involvement in coaching through targeted development programs and the Women's Football Strategy. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/fifa-accelerates-women-s-coaching-5407228
FIFA’s Council has approved groundbreaking regulations to promote more women in football coaching roles. Starting with this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, followed by the U-17 Women’s World Cup and Women’s Champions Cup, every team must field a female head coach or at least one female assistant.
The rules extend to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and apply across all youth, senior national team, and club competitions. Teams also need at least one female medical staff member and two female officials on the bench overall.
FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis emphasized the scarcity of female coaches, stating the need for clearer pathways, more opportunities, and greater visibility for women on the sidelines. She highlighted these regulations and development programs as key investments in female coaching talent.
At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, 20 out of 32 teams had male head coaches, including African sides like Zambia under Bruce Mwape, Nigeria with Randy Waldrum, and Morocco led by Reynald Pedros.
These measures form part of FIFA’s Women’s Football Strategy (WFS), featuring mentorship programs, scholarships, and educator pathways. Since 2021, FIFA has aided 795 female coaches in 73 member associations via its scholarship program.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)