Nouhaila Benzina To Become First Player To Wear Hijab At FIFA Women's World Cup

Nouhaila Benzina is set to make history by becoming the first player to wear a hijab during a FIFA Women's World Cup match.

The 25-year-old Morocco defender was an unused substitute in Monday's Group H game against Germany. Morocco lost 6-0.

But Benzina is likely to make her first World Cup appearance on the pitch against South Korea on Sunday.

Before Monday's game, 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 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.'"

Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina pictured during a training session at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

IMAGO/Beautiful Sports/Jones

Benzina plays her club soccer for the Association's Sports of Forces Armed Royal in Rabat.

She has played in many matches while dressed in a headscarf.

Morocco had never previously qualified for a FIFA Women's World Cup.

Indeed, Monday's game saw Morocco make history as the first Arab or North African nation ever to feature in the tournament's history.