Nick Bontis, president of Canada Soccer, has resigned amid a labor dispute between the governing body and the men’s and women’s national teams.
If their demands for funding cuts and pay inequality are not met, the women’s team has threatened to boycott a team camp in April.
They called off a planned strike earlier this month due to legal threats from Canada Soccer (CSA).
CSA was the target of the players’ protest during the recent SheBelieves Cup.
They wore purple T-shirts that said “enough is enough” before their matches.
Canada’s men went on strike in June 2022, accusing the CSA of “disrespect” over World Cup prize money, and have stated that they “wholly support” the women’s team, with both national teams previously calling for a change in CSA leadership.
In a statement announcing his resignation, Bontis said he believed the two national sides will sign “an historic collective bargaining agreement”.
“Once signed, it will be a historic agreement that will distinguish our country from virtually every other Fifa member association,” he added.
“While I have been one of the biggest proponents of equalising the competitive performance environment for our women’s national team, I will unfortunately not be leading this organisation when it happens.
“I recognize that this moment necessitates change.”
The CSA stated that it has a “proven track record” of supporting women’s football and that pay equality was “at the heart” of negotiations with national team players.
In 2021, the CSA spent $11 million (£6.72 million) on the men’s program and $5.1 million (£3.11 million) on the women’s program.
The women’s players described the “disgusting” disparity between Canada’s men’s and women’s programs as evident at last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar.
They are hoping for the same support for this year’s Women’s World Cup that the men received before competing in Qatar for the first time in 37 years.