Author: Nuha Khan
Nouhaila Benzina makes history as the first hijabi women to play in the Fifa World Cup. The 25-year-old Moroccan player’s selection in the team’s roster only emphasized the historic nature of the tournament.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was the first time the Moroccan national team, also named the Atlas Lionesses, qualified for the tournament. While she remained on the bench for Morocco’s first game which resulted in a 6-0 loss to Germany, Benzina was instrumental in leading her team to its 1-0 win over South Korea On July 30th in the second group stage match. The team went on to beat Columbia 1-0 on August 3rd. Both South Korea and Columbia hold significantly higher FIFA rankings at 20th and 23rd place respectively compared to Morocco at 60th place — highlighting the Lionesses’ growing prowess. Morocco went on to the Round of 16, continuing the country’s recent trend in football success.
FIFA lifted its ban on the hijab during matches in 2014. The hijab, an Islamic women’s’ garment that involves covering one’s hair and body, is an essential component of dress for millions of Muslims women around the world. With 2023 being the first time an Arab country qualified for the Women’s World Cup, Morocco and its players have become an inspiration for Arab, African, and Muslim young girls with athletic passions. Nouhaila Benzina has served as a symbol for her individual, national, and global progress for women’s sports. Marginalization of any group of women within FIFA is a hindrance for the advancement of female talent in sports everywhere.
After their victory over South Korea, Benzina spoke about her role as an inspiration to Muslim women and girls stating, “My message to hijabis is to stick to their dreams” (FIFA). With Benzina’s example, young girls can be certain that their background is not a deterrence to their success in sports.
Image credit: Stade Moulay Hassan – Maroc vs Zambie (9 avril 2024)”, photograph by Mohammed Ayman Nechchad, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. ; License: CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Goal Diplomacy 