Nouhaila Benzina Becomes First Player To Wear Hijab At The World Cup

• Nouhaila Benzina makes history at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup by becoming the first player to wear a hijab.

Moroccan defender, Nouhaila Benzina has made history by becoming the first hijab-wearing player at a World Cup.

The 25-year-old wore a white Islamic headscarf as her team defeated South Korea 1-0 on Sunday in her debut appearance at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Recall that FIFA authorized the wearing of head coverings for religious purposes during matches in 2014, a move that allows female Muslim players who wear a hijab in everyday life to cover their heads during matches as well.

Morocco is one of eight teams making their debut at the Women’s World Cup this summer.

Benzina currently plays for the ASFAR(Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal) football club in Morocco and is the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women’s international tournament.