Meet Nouhaila Benzina: The hijab-wearing footballer making World Cup history! After lengthy FIFA ban and controversy, Morocco star has become the FIRST player to wear the Islamic headscarf at the women's tournament
- Nouhaila Benzina has become the first footballer to wear a hijab at the World Cup
- FIFA prohibited the headscarf in 2007 before reversing the ban seven years later
- Benzina has shared posts highlighting her moment in history on social media
Nouhaila Benzina has made football history in Australia.
When she stepped out onto the pitch for Morocco's second fixture at the Women's World Cup, she became the very first player to wear a hijab at the tournament. In a competition of several firsts, she has broken the mould.
Aged 25, the defender has not yet addressed the subject with reporters covering the competition and is unlikely to do so. However, she has shared several posts on social media highlighting her milestone and clearly takes pride in the fact.
Benzina plays professionally for the Association's Sports of Forces Armed Royal in her home country, where wearing the Islamic headscarf is common in football. Indeed, athletes with or without hijabs across various levels are openly accepted.
But on the wider stage, it remains a contentious matter that provokes debate.
![Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina was the first to compete in a hijab at Women's World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/09/73765029-12340037-Morocco_s_Nouhaila_Benzina_was_the_first_to_compete_in_a_hijab_a-a-25_1690704860808.jpg)
Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina was the first to compete in a hijab at Women's World Cup
![An emotional Benzina, wearing the white hijab, celebrates Morocco's victory over South Korea](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/09/73765693-12340037-An_emotional_Benzina_wearing_the_white_hijab_celebrates_Morocco_-a-26_1690704864982.jpg)
An emotional Benzina, wearing the white hijab, celebrates Morocco's victory over South Korea
![Defender Benzina became the first player to wear the Islamic headdress at the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/09/73765799-12340037-Defender_Benzina_became_the_first_player_to_wear_the_Islamic_hea-a-27_1690704868017.jpg)
Defender Benzina became the first player to wear the Islamic headdress at the World Cup
![Benzina in action during Morocco's historic win over South Korea in Adelaide, Australia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/09/73765797-12340037-Benzina_in_action_during_Morocco_s_historic_win_over_South_Korea-a-28_1690704871454.jpg)
Benzina in action during Morocco's historic win over South Korea in Adelaide, Australia
![Benzina (pictured) represents Morocco and played in their second group game on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/26/16/73642543-12340037-image-m-80_1690386885994.jpg)
Benzina (pictured) represents Morocco and played in their second group game on Sunday
![She highlighted several social media posts ahead of her history-making moment](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/26/16/73642541-12340037-image-m-79_1690386875711.jpg)
She highlighted several social media posts ahead of her history-making moment
So, for Morocco, their mission extends beyond simply earning results. From the get-go, their captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, said they want their culture to shine through.
'We are honoured to be the first Arab country to take part in the Women's World Cup and we feel that we have to shoulder a big responsibility to give a good image, to show the achievements the Moroccan team has made,' Chebbak told the media.
Benzina and her admirable step are integral to this push and her freedom to express her beliefs whilst representing her country marks a stark contrast to a decade ago.
That is because just 10 years prior to this World Cup, had Morocco qualified, a player wanting to wear a hijab may have been forced to choose between that and playing. For the bulk of the past 20 years, hijabs were placed beyond a line in the sand.
In 2007, a referee prevented an 11-year-old Canadian girl from wearing her hijab during a game. The issue then reached FIFA, with the governing body opting to controversially ban head coverings in competitions under its jurisdiction.
At the time, the only exception was coverings that exposed the neck.
FIFA cited health and safety concerns, particularly the fear of possible choking, and regulations banned equipment 'dangerous to himself or another player'.
Assmaah Helal, operations manager of Creating Chances and Football United, believes this proved to be the very opposite of inclusion and understanding.
'That really sent a strong message to Muslim women, particularly those who wear hijabs, (that) we don't belong,' Helal said, via Associated Press.
In the years that followed, Helal, alongside numerous other activists, government officials, figures in football and Muslim athletes, attempted to overturn the ban.
![The hijab was banned by FIFA before they reversed their stance after years of campaigning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/26/16/73644857-12340037-image-a-77_1690386834482.jpg)
The hijab was banned by FIFA before they reversed their stance after years of campaigning
![The reversal has allowed Benzina to set a new first, a move certain to inspire countless viewers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/26/16/73644937-12340037-image-m-85_1690386996879.jpg)
The reversal has allowed Benzina to set a new first, a move certain to inspire countless viewers
![Benzina and her admirable step are also crucial to Morocco's bid to share their nation's culture](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/26/16/73644835-12340037-image-a-76_1690386830517.jpg)
Benzina and her admirable step are also crucial to Morocco's bid to share their nation's culture
Finally, in 2012, FIFA granted the Asian Football Confederation a trial period lasting two years, during which players were allowed to wear head coverings.
Two years on, FIFA lifted the ban in its entirety. The Under-17 Women's World Cup, held in Jordan, marked the first time Muslim players wore headscarves.
The hijab remains banned in France, though, and the 2019 Women's World Cup was hosted in the country, meaning the headwear was once again not permitted.
More recently, a court in France backed the French Football Federation's decision to ban any players choosing to wear the hijab during matches.
But this year, the welcome change in stance will allow Benzina to set a new first.
'Girls will look at Benzina (and think), "That could be me",' Helal believes.
'Also the policymakers, the decision-makers, the administrators will say, "We need to do more in our country to create these accepting and open and inclusive spaces for women and girls to participate in the game."'
And Benzina's inspirational step is already winning the hearts of the public.
Maryan Hagi-Hashi, who lives in Melbourne and attended Morocco's recent public training session, has said she now plans to support the Atlas Lionesses.
'There's a mixture of (Muslim) women that wear hijab and don't wear a hijab,' Hagi-Hashi said. 'I think the world has realised there is diversity.'
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- Sinner defeats home favourite Fritz to win the US Open title
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl