Moroccan Women Footballers’ WC Feat Still Resounding in International Media

ABC, CBC, CNN, The Guardian, Sky News, and a number of prestigious media outlets highlighted the astonishing feat performed by Morocco’s women football squad, with Nouhaila Benzina hogging the limelight as the first person playing in a World Cup while wearing a headscarf, a reminder of the importance of inclusion and diversity in sports.
Bezina’s motivational story and outstanding athletic abilities have sparked debate all over the world, making her a hot topic for the media. The 25yo defender, a native of Kenitra, has worn the national jersey at both U-20 and senior levels. She sat out Morocco’s last game which it lost to Germany (6-0), but was brought back to the playing field in Adelaide by coach Reynald Pedros.
Benzina, who plays for the Royal Armed Forces Sports Association (AS FAR) in Morocco, made some key contributions in the last game, and nearly scored from a set piece when she volleyed a snapshot over the bar.
Wearing an Islamic headscarf while playing football is no big news in Morocco. Athletes with or without hijabs are welcomed to compete at all levels.
FIFA had prohibited the hijab over health and safety reasons; however, this measure changed in 2014, just before the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated, in an Instagram post, Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina on being the first player to wear a scarf during the Women’s World Cup, stating: “Nouhaila Benzina became the first player yesterday to wear the hijab at a FIFA Women’s World Cup match. Football is inclusive, tolerant, universal and diverse”.
In an earlier Associated Press piece titled “Morocco, Benzina set to make Women’s World Cup history in a game against Germany,” Assmaah Helal, a co-founder of the Muslim Women in Sports Network, said, “Girls will look at Benzina (and think) ‘That could be me.'” “Also, policymakers, decision-makers, and administrators will say, ‘We need to do more in our country to create these accepting, open, and inclusive spaces for women and girls to participate in the game.'”
Morocco is placed 55 places below South Korea in women’s global rankings. Its last group game will be against Colombia on Thursday.