New FIFA rule requires female coaches at women's tournaments

Every team at a FIFA women's tournament must have at least two women on staff, one of which must be a head coach or assistant coach, according to a new regulation passed at a FIFA Council meeting on Thursday, March 19.

The new rule will apply to all youth and senior tournaments, including those involving clubs and national teams.

"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 former U.S. women's national team coach Jill Ellis, who is now FIFA’s chief football officer.

Ellis added: "The new FIFA regulations, combined with targeted development programs, mark an important investment in both the current and future generation of female coaches."

The new regulations will first be in effect this year during the U-17 and U-20 FIFA Women's World Cups and FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

The rules will also be in place for next year's women's World Cup in Brazil. At the 2023 women’s World Cup, 12 of the 32 head coaches were female.

One of the most prominent female coaches is USWNT boss Emma Hayes, who has repeatedly spoken about the need for more women in coaching roles.

"It can be so disheartening sometimes when I see so limited females in the space. Not just in coaching, but across the game," Hayes told Sky Sports in November.

"I do think it's important for girls and women to have more female role models. So, it's not just about the coaching piece, it is the role model piece and being guided.

"Particularly if we want girls to stay in the sport and not drop out in early years, we have to have a better understanding of what girls go through and have the right conversations so that we can connect with them."

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