Morocco’s Benzina makes history with hijab at Women’s World Cup

By Faida Idris
Kanempress
30th July 2023

Nouhaila Benzina have emerged the first player to wear a hijab during a Women’s World Cup game when she sported the Muslim headscarf in Morocco’s match against South Korea on Sunday.

World governing body, FIFA had lifted its ban on footballers wearing the hijab about 10 years ago, after previous concerns over player safety.

The 25-year-old defender Benzina, who plays her club football in Morocco, ran out against South Korea in Adelaide to write her name in the history books.

The Moroccan women, coached by Frenchman Reynald Pedros, are at the first Women’s World Cup on the back of a historic runners-up finish at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

They were thrashed 6-0 by Germany in the tournament opener, with Benzina remaining on the bench.

Benzina had earlier shared social media posts ahead of the World Cup about wearing a hijab, but has not spoken to the media in Australia and New Zealand about it.

Other sports have lifted hijab bans in recent years including basketball, but it is still not allowed during official football matches in France.