Women's Coaching Ranks in Liga MX Femenil Shrink to Historic Low
The number of female head coaches in Mexico's top women's football league has dropped sharply, from a peak of six in Apertura 2021 to just two in the current Apertura 2026. This represents a 44% decline compared to the league's early seasons, with the lowest point occurring in Clausura 2025 when only one woman held a head coaching role. Recent events, such as Cruz Azul replacing interim coach Guadalupe Worbis with a male coach despite her brief tenure, highlight the ongoing reduction in female leadership on the sidelines.
The league's founding season in 2017 saw five female head coaches across twelve clubs, but that number has steadily eroded. Since Clausura 2023, the average has fallen to roughly 2.6 per tournament, with the sharpest drop occurring between Apertura 2022 and Apertura 2023, when the count went from five to two in a single cycle. Only four clubs have consistently hired women: Rayadas leads with female leadership in ten of nineteen tournaments, followed by Pumas, FC Juárez, and Querétaro.
Notably, América, Chivas, and San Luis have never appointed a female head coach in the top division, despite Chivas employing Nelly Simón as sporting director for seven years. Eva Espejo, who won the Apertura 2021 title with Rayadas, has noted that Mexico's coaching pipeline remains narrow, with only three women among fifty students in her graduating class at the national coaching school.
This decline could signal a broader regression in gender parity within Mexican professional sports, affecting not only current female coaches but also aspiring ones who may see fewer pathways to leadership. Young players and fans may internalize the message that women's tactical expertise is undervalued, potentially discouraging future participation in coaching roles. The trend may also pressure clubs to reconsider hiring practices, as demonstrated results—including championship wins and final appearances by female coaches—suggest performance is not the limiting factor.