Sports

FIFA orders representation of female coaches across all women’s tournaments

FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis said the move is designed to address the shortage of women in coaching roles at the highest level.

Published

6 months ago

March 22, 2026

OCHEFA

301 Views

FIFA has directed all teams participating in its women’s competitions to include at least one female head coach or assistant as part of new regulations aimed at boosting women’s representation in coaching.

The directive, approved by the FIFA Council, will take effect from the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups as well as the Women’s Champions Cup.

Teams will also be required to have a minimum of two female staff members on the bench across all women’s tournaments, from youth to senior level.

FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis said the move is designed to address the shortage of women in coaching roles at the highest level.

“There are simply not enough women in coaching today. We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing visibility for women on our sidelines,” Ellis said.

She described the regulations, alongside targeted development programmes, as a significant investment in both current and future generations of female coaches.

Ellis highlighted the disparity at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, where only 12 of the 32 head coaches were women, figures that do not reflect the rapid growth of the women’s game globally.

She noted that Sarina Wiegman was the only female coach to reach the latter stages of the tournament, guiding England to a second-place finish.

According to FIFA data, women account for just five percent of coaches across both men’s and women’s teams worldwide.

A separate 2024 benchmarking report covering 86 women’s leagues found that only 22 per cent of head coaches are women.

Related Topics:Featured FIFA female coaches directive

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Sports

Eguavoen appointed interim Super Falcons coach ahead of 2028 Olympic qualifiers

Former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf—who earned 68 caps and featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics—also joins as an assistant coach, alongside veteran goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa.

Published

1 week ago

September 9, 2026

OCHEFA

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• Augustine “Cerezo” Eguavoen

Former Super Eagles head coach Augustine “Cerezo” Eguavoen has been appointed to lead Nigeria’s Super Falcons on a temporary basis as the search for a permanent manager continues.

His immediate assignment is navigating the 2028 Olympic Games second-round qualifying tie against Comoros this October.

The Vanguard reported that Eguavoen ‘s immediate assignment is navigating the 2028 Olympic Games second-round qualifying tie against Comoros this October.

Eguavoen brings top-tier experience to the role, having previously guided the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The interim technical crew is Nasarawa Amazons head coach Christopher Danjuma, who recently led the Falconets at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf—who earned 68 caps and featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics—also joins as an assistant coach, alongside veteran goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa.

The 10-time African champions will kick off their campaign against Comoros, who advanced after a staggering 30-0 aggregate win over Sudan.

Both legs of the fixture will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on October 9 and 13, 2026.

Sports

Falconets lose World Cup opener to Spain

Spain, who won the competition in 2022, controlled much of the encounter at the Arena Sosnowiec and took the lead in the 13th minute through Marisa García.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2026

OCHEFA

164 Views

Nigeria’s Falconets lost their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup opening match to Spain by 2-0 in the Group F opener in Poland on Monday.

Spain, who won the competition in 2022, controlled much of the encounter at the Arena Sosnowiec and took the lead in the 13th minute through Marisa García.

The goal came after Noemí Bejarano worked her way down the flank before sending a low ball into the box, with García finishing to put Spain ahead.

Nigeria struggled to create clear chances in the first half and had to wait until the 37th minute for their first attempt, with Kafayat Mafisere shooting wide from distance.

The Falconets returned from the break with greater attacking intent, with Precious Oscar and Victory Lucky introduced as Nigeria sought an equaliser.

However, Spain remained dangerous, and goalkeeper Laia López kept out Nigeria’s attempts as the European side maintained its advantage.

Sports

Infantino To Seek Re-Election As FIFA President In 2027

If re-elected, the 56-year-old Swiss would remain FIFA president until 2031.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 7, 2026

OCHEFA

145 Views

FIFA says Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election in 2027.

If re-elected, the 56-year-old Swiss would remain FIFA president until 2031.

Infantino, who has served as FIFA president since 2016, has faced growing pressure following his controversial proposal to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investment firms.

The plan triggered widespread criticism across the football community, with UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, in opposition to the proposal.“Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election,” FIFA said in a statement.

The confirmation comes after Infantino declined to answer questions about his political future when questioned by reporters at the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland on Saturday.