Women’s World Cup 2023: Australia and New Zealand are hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The tournament is getting attention from football fans across the world. Morocco’s defender Nouhaila Benzina has made history by becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup.
Morocco are participating in the Women’s World Cup and they are placed in Group H along with South Korea, Germany, and Colombia. The 25-year-old defender from Morocco wore the Islamic headscarf in the previous game against South Korea. It was her first appearance in the competition and the African nation earned a valuable victory by 1-0.
FIFA has authorised wearing Hijab in 2014. for religious reasons. Meanwhile, it was the first time a player wore this in FIFA Women’s World Cup. Morocc’s women’s team are also making its debut in the World Cup. They are among the eight nations to play their maiden WC event. Morocco is the first Arab or North African nation to qualify for the Women’s World Cup.
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Benzina is the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women’s international tournament. She played her first World Cup against Germany but she was an unused substitute in their country’s 6-0 loss. She made her debut in World Cup in Adelaide and she celebrated it with a maiden World Cup win of the Atlas Lionesses.
A FIFA ban on playing in religious head coverings in its sanctioned games for “health and safety reasons” was overturned in 2014. Assmaah Helal, a co-founder of the Muslim Women in Sports Network, “I have no doubt that more and more women and Muslim girls will look at Benzina and just really be inspired — not just the players, but I think decision-makers, coaches, other sports as well.”
Nouhaila Benzina is also playing professional club football for the Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal. Her club is the eight-time defending champion in Morocco’s top women’s league. The 25-year-old played a vital role as a defender in her debut game. She picked up a yellow card later in the game in reply to South Korea’s counter-attack.
The Atlas Lionesses will now play their next game against Colombia and it’s an important game for them. If they win it, they will qualify for the round of 16. With the 1-0 win over South Korea, they earned three points to reach the third spot. Meanwhile, it won’t be easy to beat table-toppers as they have won both games including a win over Germany. Morocco’s goal difference is also a big concern if they somehow manage a draw in the final game.
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