FIFA is working hard around the world to help achieve a goal of 60 million female players by 2027. The ambitious target is underpinned by 13 development programmes with all 211 FIFA Member Associations (MAs) eligible to apply for support from world football's governing body.

In 2025, FIFA renewed and expanded its Women’s Development Programme in a further boost to women’s football. Additional information can be found here.

Inside FIFA looks at just some of the significant recent activity which continues to expand the footprint of women’s football globally.

Following a busy period of development focus in recent years, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) turned its attention to growing the next generation of female coaches. FIFA support via the Coach Education Scholarships (groups) programme saw 30 Ugandans undertake an exclusive CAF C Coaching Course for women. Commencing in August at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, participants are undergoing theoretical and practical training designed to enhance their technical knowledge and coaching competencies.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), in partnership with FIFA, has hosted a one-day Commercial Strategy Workshop aimed at boosting the commercial viability of Women's Premier League clubs in West African nation, Ghana is one of only 12 MAs taking part in FIFA’s Commercial Strategy programme. Hosted in Accra, the initiative is aimed at ensuring Women’s Premier League clubs are commercialised with a three-phase strategy to be rolled out. The workshop was the first phase with clubs, media and sponsors; the second phase will be the launch of the league commercial strategy, and finally, GFA will have a practical workshop focus on clubs, social media and media teams.

It has been a historic month for women’s football in South Sudan with two events supported by FIFA. Last weekend saw the South Sudan Women’s Premier League commence. The opening round was preceded by a well-attended launch event with the 12 participating teams present. The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) has also officially started a historic 10-day CAF “D” License coaching course in the capital Juba, funded by FIFA’s Coach Education Scholarships (groups) programme. The course was organised specifically to strengthen women’s representation on football technical benches, given a historical under-representation of women in coaching and technical leadership roles.

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) conducted a maiden edition of the CAF D License Coaching Course for female coaches at the National Technical Training Centre in Old Yundum, Banjul. A total of 30 female participants selected from across the country took part in the course, which is supported through FIFA’s Coach Education Scholarships (groups) programme. The five-day course was complemented by a Safeguarding workshop for all coaches involved in the various women's leagues.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has built further upon a busy year of development activity in 2025 by hosting a two-week AFC C Diploma Course for women coaches in Kolkata. Funded by the FIFA Coach Education Scholarship (group) programme, the course features coaches from the North and East regions of India, with the West and South regions to participate in a second course later this year. In total, 42 to 44 women will hold AFC C Licence coaching certificates by the end of year, further strengthening the pool of qualified women coaches across the world’s most populace nation.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) celebrated a busy month of women’s football activity with work dedicated to building both their Women’s Football Strategy, and further developing local knowledge through a FIFA Capacity Building for Administrators workshop. The Women's Football Strategy forum was held over two days in Dar es Salaam and involved women’s football stakeholders identifying the pillars required to further develop the local game for the coming four years.

The three-day Capacity Building for Administrators workshop hosted by the TFF in Dodoma aimed to improve administrators’ skills in leadership, management, governance, communication, and women's football organisation.

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) is another MA that are currently developing a tailor-made approach to developing local women’s football for the next four-year cycle. To that end, FFSL hosted a variety of stakeholders in the capital Colombo over two days focussed on the FIFA Women’s Football Strategy Programme.

The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) took another step towards their upcoming U-19 women’s league with the presentation of jerseys to the 300 participating players. The milestone is, among other related initiatives, part of AUF’s use of FIFA funding via the League Development programme.

The Oman Football Association (OFA) focussed on strengthening the capability of football officials by hosting a FIFA Capacity Building for Administrators workshop. Nearly 40 attendees in Muscat heard from local and international presenters with a joint focus on efficient governance and planning, while also building a network of capable administrators who can drive sustainable growth.

Growing a broader and better-informed group of women’s football administrators was also the focus for the Macau Football Association (MFA). The MFA hosted a two-day FIFA Capacity Building for Administrators workshop aimed at strengthening Macau’s women’s football workforce in the latest of several recent initiatives from the MA.

The FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™ moved a step closer to kick-off after FIFA concluded the latest major round of inspections at the eight Host City stadiums. More than 100 staff members and suppliers from 38 functional areas took part in the 10-day technical visits, which have been occurring regularly since 2024.

The eight tournament stadiums visited were Estádio Beira-Rio (Porto Alegre), Estádio do Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro), Estádio Mineirão (Belo Horizonte), Estádio Nacional (Brasília), Arena Itaquera (São Paulo), Arena Castelão (Fortaleza), Arena Fonte Nova (Salvador) and Arena de Pernambuco (Recife).

The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026™ saw the host nation, along with Benin, Ecuador, New Caledonia, Portugal, Tanzania and make their debuts at the tournament. New Caledonia’s participation was particularly notable as their first at a FIFA women’s tournament. The Oceanian territory, who visited FIFA’s Paris office en route to Poland, are an example of the benefits of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme with many of the players active within the associated New Caledonian Football Federation (FCF) academy. There was further cause for celebration last week as New Caledonia secured their maiden qualification for a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™.

The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026 also witnessed a landmark initiative that enhances opportunities for women coaches on the world stage. The FIFA Council mandated that every team include at least one female head coach or assistant coach in FIFA women’s tournaments, as well as ensuring that at least one of the medical staff be female and at least two officials seated on the team bench. The groundbreaking regulation applies to all FIFA club and international tournaments, including next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

Inter Miami CF’s new Nu Stadium will host the semi-finals of next year’s FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™.

Mexico’s Club América Femenil and Spanish FC Barcelona Femení have already qualified, and will be joined by the winners from rounds 1 and 2 to be contested in October and December.

“The excitement surrounding this competition is already growing, and Miami provides a perfect setting to showcase the quality and global appeal of women’s club football. I can’t wait to see who rises to the occasion and lifts this beautiful trophy,” said Jill Ellis, FIFA’s Chief Football Officer.