FIFA’s commitment towards the ongoing growth and development of women’s football took another major step recently with the hosting of the Women’s National Team Preparation Programme (WNT – PP). The workshop, which was hosted by the German Football Association (DFB), was open to all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) for the first time.

With the 2023 edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ expanded to 32 teams – and the field set to grow further to 48 teams in 2031 – the programme was created with the goal of ensuring the gap between different tiers of MAs didn’t widen. A pilot edition was established in the lead-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, with invitations extended to teams who were debutants or who had not progressed beyond the group stage of a FIFA Women’s World Cup since 2003. A further 10 MAs participated in a second pilot programme.

Athleticism and technical standards in the women’s game have increased significantly in recent times, meaning a focus on providing players with the training, support, and resources they need to play at the highest level has also grown.

This is where FIFA's Women's National Team Preparation Programme helps reduce the deficit.

The programme – one of 13 available to all 211 MA – is designed to support women’s national team programmes, coaching staff, and multidisciplinary teams in developing an evidence-based approach to the physical preparation of female players for major international tournaments.

“FIFA’s Women’s National Team Preparation Programme is about sharing knowledge, learning from one another and ultimately raising the standard of women’s football around the world,” said Dame Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer.

“By bringing together professionals from all six confederations, we are creating an environment where experiences can be shared, new ideas can be explored and teams can learn from each other. The more we can narrow the gaps between our Member Associations and give more teams the opportunity to prepare at the highest level, the more competitive our game becomes – and that can only be good for the future of women’s football.”

Hosted over five full days under sunny summer skies at the world-class DFB Campus in Frankfurt, Germany, the workshop bought together 40 MAs representing all corners of the globe, and nearly a quarter of the world governing body’s membership.

Among the participants during the expansive five-day workshop were physical preparation coaches, medical staff, and multidisciplinary practitioners. The programme took place on the pitch or in the gym and provided a structured, evidence-based learning environment focused on elevating the standard of physical preparation for women’s national teams regardless of their geographical location.

“This phase has built tremendously on my previous experience. The modules and online workshops provided a strong platform, but the highlight was coming together in Frankfurt – connecting the theory with practical work on the field,” said Ridhaa Allie, a South African coach and mentee.

“Coming from a background in the men’s game, the programme has opened my mind to the specific needs and experiences of female players. It has helped me identify what I can do differently to ensure they feel understood and better supported.”

“The workshop allowed us to explore each area in greater depth while consistently applying female-specific considerations, supported by the best knowledge, research and scientific evidence currently available,” added his mentor and FIFA Expert, Dawn Scott.

The WNT-PP is intentionally designed to put the findings of FIFA’s recently launched Female Health and Performance Programme into practice, ensuring all MAs understand how to apply a female lens to female health and performance.

As an early sign of impact of this initiative, Malawi, one of the participating MAs, qualified for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup, securing their place at next year’s tournament in Brazil. What makes this achievement yet more spectacular is that Malawi achieved qualification during their maiden participation at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

“Investing in the people who support our players is one of the most effective ways to accelerate the growth of women’s football. It has been inspiring to see Member Associations from around the world come together to learn, collaborate and share best practice in the preparation of women’s national teams,” said Arijana Demirovic, Head of Women’s Football Development at FIFA.

“To see a Member Association like Malawi rewarded for its long-term commitment to the women’s game is incredibly inspiring. It is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when you invest consistently and strategically in the development of women’s football.

“Through global collaboration, knowledge exchange and an evidence-based approach, this programme will have a lasting impact on the support and development of female players for years to come. A sincere thank you to the DFB for their outstanding hospitality and partnership in hosting this successful in-person workshop.”

The FIFA Women’s National Team Preparation Programme explained

List of participating MAs: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czechia, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Montenegro, Myanmar, North Macedonia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Saint Lucia, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands and Wales