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Hijab: From Insecurity to Strength on the Football Pitch
24 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Muslim athletes face challenges integrating faith and sport, particularly with hijab use.
- The hijab, once banned by Fifa, is now permitted for religious reasons in football.
- Young female Muslim players desire visible role models to encourage participation.
Faith plays a crucial role for athletes like Zainab El-Mouden, guiding their discipline and conduct. However, for up-and-coming female Muslim athletes, openly expressing their faith while competing presents distinct hurdles. Zainab, a semi-pro footballer, discusses the journey of embracing her hijab on the pitch, an item worn for modesty that was once prohibited by Fifa until 2014.
Historically, the hijab faced restrictions in football, but players can now wear it for religious reasons, a change exemplified by Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina at the World Cup. Zainab recounts her personal transformation, moving from initial self-consciousness about her hijab to recognizing it as a powerful symbol of identity and strength, making her more visible to others.
Zainab notes a disparity in how male and female Muslim players are perceived. She believes visible differences in female Muslim athletes contribute to this gap. Having grown up without visible role models, she is committed to inspiring the next generation of girls, ensuring they have the representation needed to pursue their football dreams.
