In a sweeping move aimed at reshaping the future of women’s football, FIFA has approved a new rule requiring every women’s team in its competitions to include at least one female coach on the bench.

The regulation, passed by the FIFA Council, takes effect immediately and will apply across all women’s tournaments — from youth competitions like the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups to senior international events and club competitions. Under the new mandate, teams must have at least two women on their coaching staff, with one serving as either head coach or assistant coach.

The decision comes amid growing concern over the lack of women in leadership roles in the sport. At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, just 12 of the 32 teams were led by female head coaches — a disparity FIFA now appears determined to address.

FIFA chief football officer Jill Ellis framed the change as both corrective and forward-looking, emphasizing the need to “accelerate change” by increasing visibility and creating clearer pathways for women in coaching. The organization says the rule is part of a broader, long-term strategy that includes investment in education, development, and professional opportunities for female coaches.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has also signaled that the issue has been under discussion at the highest levels of the sport, pointing to the rapid growth and global momentum of women’s football as a reason to expand leadership opportunities alongside it.

The rule marks a notable shift from encouragement to enforcement — transforming what was once an aspirational goal into a structural requirement.