A topic is stepping into the spotlight that was long overlooked: pregnancy in professional football. More and more players and coaches are choosing to start families, and more leagues, clubs, and federations are creating the conditions to make that possible.
This article looks at what is currently changing around the world, what rights are in place, and which clubs and leagues are already taking bold action.
FIFA Introduces Clear Regulations – For Players Since 2021, for Coaches Since 2024
In 2021, FIFA introduced specific protections for pregnant players for the first time. These were added to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), under Article 18quater. As of July 2024, these protections now also apply explicitly to female coaches. For the first time, both groups are covered equally, globally and with legal force.
The regulations establish a global minimum standard. National laws or collective agreements offering better protections still take precedence.
Key Provisions of the FIFA Regulations:
- Maternity leave: 14 weeks, with at least 8 taken after the birth. Minimum payment: two-thirds of contracted salary.
- Adoption and family leave: Up to 8 weeks, also available to non-biological mothers.
- Contract security: Terminations related to pregnancy or parental leave are considered “without just cause” and subject to sporting and financial sanctions.
- Flexible return: Players and coaches choose when and how to return. Clubs must provide medical and structural support.
- Breastfeeding: Clubs must provide appropriate facilities. Reduced hours cannot lead to salary cuts.
- Menstrual health: Paid medical leave is allowed with a doctor’s note.
These Clubs and Leagues Are Leading by Example
USA: NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) The NWSL was one of the first leagues with extensive rights: 6 months of fully paid maternity leave, medical care, guaranteed return, childcare support, and travel accommodations for families. Players like Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez, and Jessica McDonald successfully returned to play as mothers.
Australia: A-League Women Up to 12 months of parental leave, guaranteed return to work, and union-supported protections, all available to both players and coaches.
Norway: Toppserien Norway’s top division is currently Europe’s leading model for structural equality. Since April 2025, the rule is clear: if a player or coach becomes pregnant during their final contract year, the contract is automatically extended by one year. This applies across all clubs in the league and was developed jointly with the federation – a powerful example of sustainable policy change.
Italy: AC Milan AC Milan was one of the first European clubs to introduce its own family-friendly policies. These include contract extensions for pregnant players, medical follow-up, childcare support, and flexible working models – a strong example of club-level leadership, even in a league without unified regulations.
Germany: TSG Hoffenheim In May 2025, TSG Hoffenheim became the first professional club in Germany to introduce a new rule: if a player or coach becomes pregnant during their contract, it is automatically extended. This is a new step in German football and aligns with international best-practice models.
Role Models Who Inspire
- Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir won a landmark case against Olympique Lyon after the club withheld her salary during pregnancy, a decision that resonated across the global football community.
- Melanie Leupolz returned to Chelsea after the birth of her son, fully supported by the club and resuming her role as a team leader.
- Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, and Sydney Leroux have proven that world-class performance and motherhood can go hand in hand.
Coaches are also leading the way:
- Imke Wübbenhorst (YB Bern) returned to her role as head coach after giving birth, supported by a structured return-to-work plan.
- Theresa Merk (SC Freiburg) speaks openly about being both a mother and a head coach, a powerful role model in modern football.
Other coaches around the world live similar realities, even if they haven’t yet shared their stories publicly.
What Players and Coaches Should Know
If you work in professional football – as a player or a coach – you have clear rights:
- 14 weeks of paid maternity leave (at least two-thirds of your salary)
- No job loss or contract termination due to pregnancy
- Adoption and family leave for non-biological mothers
- You decide when to return with medical and structural support
- Right to breastfeed, with access to proper facilities and no salary cuts
- Paid medical leave for menstrual health, with a doctor’s certificate
📩 For questions, support is available through your players’ union, national federation, or directly via legal@fifa.org
What Clubs and Leagues Can Do Now
- Update contracts: Include protective clauses and return-to-work guarantees
- Provide infrastructure: Breastfeeding spaces, flexible schedules, family-friendly support
- Train leadership: Educate coaching and management staff
- Create league-wide standards: Unified systems like Norway or the NWSL strengthen the whole ecosystem
- Be vocal: Supporting families is a competitive advantage
Looking Ahead: Who’s Next?
FIFA has laid the legal foundation. Some leagues and clubs have acted. But a family-friendly culture in football is still far from the norm.
Which clubs will follow Milan, Hoffenheim, and the NWSL? Which league will be next to implement binding standards – for all professionals, on and off the pitch?
The answers to these questions will help define how ready football really is for the future.