FIFA mandates teams to have women as head coach/deputy

FIFA has made a landmark decision directing all women’s teams participating in the world football governing body’s-sanctioned major tournaments to have either a woman as either a head coach or a deputy coach.

The directive will certainly impact the women’s game in CAF-sanctioned competitions where the sport is still growing, and teams participate in FIFA-sanctioned competitions.

In Africa, men wield influence on women’s teams’ coaches’ selection. For example, most teams bound for the forthcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals are coached by men.

FIFA chief explains rationale

Confirming the development as quoted by Sky Sports, FIFA chief football officer Jill Ellis said the directive seeks to bridge the huge disparity between male and female coaches in the game.

“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 former United States national team head coach said.

“The new FIFA regulations, combined with targeted development programmes, mark an important investment in both the current and future generation of female coaches.”

FIFA says the new regulation will be enforced from the under-20 Women’s World Cup in September, the subsequent Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year, Women’s Champions Cup and the inaugural 2028 Women’s Club World Cup.

The FIFA Council approved the new legislation on Thursday, adding that teams must have at least two women staff members in their coaching panels, with one needing to be either the head coach or assistant coach.

The new FIFA rule applies to?

The new rules will apply to all youth and senior tournaments, national team competitions and club competitions.

Speaking at a UEFA Congress in February, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “So, we should support, of course, more women in football positions and more women generally. Maybe we need … more women coaches in women’s teams.”

In Africa and beyond, men continue to dominate the game with none of the elite males’ clubs being managed by a woman. In contrast, men manage some of the top African women’s clubs such as Sporting Club Casablanca (Jerry Tshabalala) and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Godfrey Sapula).

Notable women coaching top clubs in Africa include Moroccan Lamia Boumehdi in charge of TP Mazembe Ladies.