The FIFA council have approved new regulations aimed at increasing representation of women in technical staffs. Starting this year, all teams at FIFA women’s tournaments must have at least two women on their technical staff, including either the head coach or one assistant coach, and at least one member of the medical staff.

The initiative sits alongside FIFA’s existing scholarship and mentorship programmes. Together, the objectives of these initiatives are to encourage women to pursue coaching and medical careers, and to increase opportunities for female coaches and medical professionals in football.

The regulations, approved at the FIFA council’s meeting on THU 19 MAR 2026, take effect this year and will first be applied at the U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cups. They will also be in place for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.