FIFA adopts new protocols to support players during pregnancy, following the birth of their children

FIFA introduces new maternity leave rules for players and coaches, aiming to support their well-being and family life.

Football’s international governing body is implementing new measures designed further to support the well-being of players and coaches during pregnancy and after the birth of their children.

The FIFA protocols give players and coaches a minimum of 14 weeks of paid maternity leave and eight weeks of paid leave for those who adopt a child younger than two. There is also a minimum of eight weeks paid for women who are non-biological parents of newborns.

While the players’ maternity leave was previously adopted in 2020, the new rules extend it to coaches, non-biological and adoptive mothers.

The protocol goes into effect on June 1. It was approved last month by the FIFA Council.

“I think it’s a big statement,” former U.S. coach Jill Ellis said in a statement on May 31. “These are big steps and big strides to really normalize the life that we go through as women … that’s what we want to provide now at every level, the club level, the national team level — the opportunity for pro players to have the chance to be mums.”

Ms. Ellis led FIFA's technical study group for the Women's World Cup last year in Australia and New Zealand.

Additionally, the regulations allow clubs more freedom to add players outside of the transfer window when players take maternity and parental leave or return from it.