October 3 – UEFA has revealed more details of their first-ever minimum standards framework for women’s national teams following consultations with stakeholders, including coaches and FIFPRO.
“Today’s announcement marks the culmination of our five-year women’s football strategy, Time for Action,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin in a statement. “While this is a significant milestone, we are already looking ahead to the next steps. As we advance, UEFA remains fully dedicated to supporting our member associations and empowering players.”
The framework, approved by the UEFA Executive Committee in June, is aimed at levelling the playing field for women footballers across Europe and includes standards around good governance, coaching, training, medical care, player welfare, accommodation and remuneration. UEFA will support the framework with a pot of €22 million that will be available to the national associations until 2028. Each member will receive €100,000 per year.
“Having the best possible conditions on and off the pitch is absolutely vital for players to perform and in return bring success to their national teams,” said Nadine Kessler, UEFA Managing Director for women’s football. “We have a highly competitive landscape nowadays, so standards must be grown alongside them. Only then can teams unleash their full potential and we can safeguard the longevity of players’ careers.”
The UEFA minimum standards for women’s national teams include:
- Full-time head coach with UEFA Pro License (or equivalent qualification) available at the national association
- Minimum one team doctor/two physiotherapists at all matches and training sessions
- Travel to match venues which prioritises the most direct route
- High-quality accommodation near training/match venues
- Maximum use of international windows
- Access to national training facilities, including elite equipment and professionally maintained pitches
- Players and association agreement on remuneration, parental and pregnancy policies and anti-discrimination
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