Meet Nouhaila Benzina: the hijab-wearing footballer who is making World Cup history! After lengthy FIFA ban and controversy, Morocco star has become FIRST player to wear Islamic headscarf at women’s tournament

Nouhaila Benzina has made football history in Australia.

When she took to the field for Morocco’s second match at the Women’s World Cup, she became the first ever player to wear a hijab in the tournament. In a contest with several firsts, she broke the mold.

The 25-year-old defender has not yet raised the subject with reporters about the match and is unlikely to do so. However, she has shared several social media posts highlighting her milestone and is clearly proud of it.

Benzina plays professionally for the Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal in her home country, where the wearing of the Islamic headscarf is common in football. Indeed, athletes with or without hijabs at various levels are openly accepted.

But on the wider scene, it remains a controversial issue that provokes discussion.

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

Benzina in action during Morocco’s historic victory over South Korea in Adelaide, Australia

Benzina (pictured) represents Morocco and played in their second group match on Sunday

She highlighted several social media posts ahead of her moment to make history

So for Morocco, their mission goes beyond just achieving results. From the start, their captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, said they wanted their culture to shine through.

“We are honored to be the first Arab country to participate in the Women’s World Cup and we feel we have a great responsibility to create a good image, to show what the Moroccan team has achieved,” Chebbak said. the media. .

Benzina and her admirable step are an integral part of this push and her freedom to express her beliefs while representing her country is a stark contrast to a decade ago.

That’s because just 10 years prior to this World Cup, if Morocco had qualified, a player who wanted to wear a hijab might have been forced to choose between that and playing. For most of the past 20 years, hijabs have been placed behind a line in the sand.

In 2007, a referee prevented an 11-year-old Canadian girl from wearing her hijab during a match. The matter subsequently reached FIFA, with the governing body controversially choosing to 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 fears of possible suffocation, and regulations banned equipment that is “dangerous to himself or another player.”

Assmaah Helal, operational manager of Creating Chances and Football United, believes this turned out to be the opposite of inclusion and understanding.

“That really sent a strong message to Muslim women, especially those who wear hijabs, (that) we don’t belong,” Helal said via Associated Press.

In the years that followed, Helal, along with numerous other activists, government officials, football figures and Muslim athletes, tried to overturn the ban.

The hijab was banned by FIFA before they reversed their stance after years of campaigning

The reversal has allowed Benzina to land another first, a move sure to inspire countless viewers

Benzina and her admirable move are also crucial to Morocco’s drive to share their country’s culture

Finally, in 2012, FIFA granted the Asian Football Confederation a two-year trial period during which players were allowed to wear headgear.

Two years later, FIFA lifted the ban in its entirety. The Women’s Under-17 World Cup, held in Jordan, marked the first time Muslim players wore a headscarf.

However, the hijab remains banned in France and the 2019 Women’s World Cup was hosted in the country, meaning the wearing of headgear was once again banned.

More recently, a court in France supported the French Football Federation’s decision to ban all players who choose to wear the hijab during matches.

But this year, the welcome change of stance allows Benzina to set another first.

‘Girls will look at Benzina (and think, ‘That could be me’), Helal believes.

“Even the policy makers, 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 inspiring step is already winning the hearts of the audience.

Maryan Hagi-Hashi, who lives in Melbourne and attended the recent public training session in Morocco, has said she now intends to support the Atlas Lionesses.

“There is a mix of (Muslim) women wearing hijab and no hijab,” said Hagi-Hashi. “I think the world is realizing there is diversity.”