FIFA is considering asking the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to introduce an under-23 age limit for women’s Olympic football because of concerns over fixture congestion and player workload.
Any change would have to wait until the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Organisers have already finalised eligibility rules for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, with qualifying competitions underway in some regions.
Officials at both governing bodies are open to discussing the idea, sources familiar with the matter told The Guardian. FIFA has not submitted a formal proposal.
It wants to consult players and national football associations before changing the tournament’s eligibility rules. Women’s Olympic football has allowed senior national teams to compete without age restrictions since its introduction at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
By contrast, the men’s competition adopted an under-23 limit in 1992. Teams have been permitted to include three older players since 1996.
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An age restriction would change the women’s tournament, which remains a major competition for established international players. Emma Hayes guided the United States to gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Americans have won five of the eight women’s Olympic football titles. FIFA’s interest in changing eligibility rules follows growing concerns about the international football calendar.
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The governing body has scheduled its inaugural Women’s Club World Cup in the United States from January 5 to 30, 2028. The competition will feature 16 teams.
European clubs could face scheduling difficulties during the tournament, particularly those progressing to the later rounds.
Meanwhile, women’s Olympic football will expand to 16 national teams at Los Angeles 2028, compared with 12 in the men’s competition.
It will be the first Olympics featuring more women’s football teams than men’s teams. FIFA and the IOC declined to comment on the potential age restriction.
