'We Can't Be Benched' strategy to drive women's football forward in Serbia
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Article summary
The Football Association of Serbia (FAS) has launched its first-ever women's football strategy, setting out a clear roadmap to build on international success, improve elite pathways, strengthen grassroots structures and break down cultural barriers.
Article top media content
Article body
Titled 'We Can’t Be Benched', the strategy was presented at a special event in Belgrade at the start of a landmark period for the Serbia women's national team.
The launch comes just one week before Serbia make their debut in League A of the UEFA Women's European Qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, earned after an unbeaten campaign in UEFA Women's Nations League B last season.
"I have witnessed the immense passion, hard work and potential among our girls. The results achieved in the past period, especially the historic successful qualification of our senior team for the elite league of the Nations League, prove we are definitely on the right track," said FAS vice-president Sandra Sremčević.
"Our task is to recognise, nurture and systematically develop those values. This strategy sets clear goals in the areas of grassroots, infrastructure, education, competition, visibility and women's leadership in football. Our message is clear: We can't be benched – we play, we lead and we win."
'We Can't Be Benched'
Building on Serbia's recent success on the international stage, the strategy aims to create a world-class and sustainable performance structure which will help the national team qualify for major tournaments such as UEFA Women's EURO.
Measures include a revised talent identification system, an increased number of full-time women's national team staff and enhanced performance analysis tools and technology.
Recognising that international success depends on a strong domestic club system, the strategy also sets out plans to increase the commercial viability of the Serbian Women's Super League and introduce club licensing criteria to set minimum standards.
Infrastructure improvements – such as innovative scheduling to ease pitch congestion, dedicated changing rooms for female players and a commitment that by 2029 all Women's Super League matches will be played on natural or hybrid grass – form a key part of the strategy, while developing the women's football workforce is another priority.
The strategy outlines plans to convert more former players, students and event volunteers into coaches, facilitate knowledge-sharing seminars led by national team staff and provide scholarships to support retiring players with transitioning into new roles within the game.
Beyond structural reform, 'We Can't Be Benched' aims to increase participation rates across Serbia by strengthening links between initiatives such as UEFA Playmakers and local clubs.
Women's national team players will be elevated as role models through school visits, targeted media campaigns and enhanced digital storytelling, helping to break down cultural barriers and inspire the next generation.
National team matches will be staged across different regions of the country to broaden engagement, while integrated commercial campaigns will feature both male and female players, reinforcing the message that the women's game is an integral part of Serbia's football identity.
Supporting players through motherhood
A standout moment at the launch was the signing of an agreement to better support players who are mothers.
The agreement, signed by FAS general secretary Branko Radujko and women's national team captain Violeta Slović, ensures players returning to elite football after maternity leave will receive childcare support when called up for national team duty.
The aim is to ensure no player has to choose between representing her country and caring for her child, in line with UEFA's minimum standards framework for women's national teams.
As part of Serbia's social, environmental and sustainability project 'Champions of Good Habits', supported by the UEFA HatTrick programme, the event featured a session on player health and wellbeing.
The session was delivered by Serbia's prime minister, Prof. Dr Đuro Macut, who is also a leading endocrinology expert. He addressed the importance of hormonal balance, the menstrual cycle and RED-S syndrome, highlighting the need for greater education around women's health in football.
"This was not just an event, but a clear confirmation that women's football in Serbia has structure, vision and full institutional backing," said Sremčević. "The energy and unity we demonstrated today are crucial for the next phase of development."
Unstoppable: UEFA's women's football strategy
Running from 2024 to 2030, Unstoppable will help us make women's football:
- The most-played team sport for women and girls in every European country, through developing football pathways for players, coaches and referees alongside grassroots opportunities
- The home of the world’s top players, with six fully professional leagues and 5,000 fully professional players across the continent
- The most sustainable and investable women’s sport, with record-breaking UEFA competitions
- Celebrated for its unique values and community, where everyone believes that they can have a place in women’s football.