Nouhaila Benzina

Nouhaila Benzina (Arabic: نهيلة بنزينه;[2] born 11 May 1998) is a Moroccan footballer who plays as a defender for ASFAR and the Morocco women's national team.[3]

Nouhaila Benzina
نهيلة بنزينه
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-05-11) 11 May 1998
Place of birth Kenitra, Morocco[1]
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 ASFAR
Number 5
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016– ASFAR
International career
2017– Morocco U20 4 (0)
2017– Morocco 17 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Morocco
UNAF Women's Tournament
Winner2020 Tunisia
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Second place2022 Morocco
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

In July 2023, she made history as the first female player to ever wear an Islamic headscarf (a hijab) at the senior-level FIFA Women's World Cup.[4][5] She is considered a role model for Muslim female footballers.[6]

Club career

Benzina has played for ASFAR in Morocco.[7]

International career

Benzina has capped for Morocco at under-20 and senior levels.[8][9][10]

Benzina was included in the Moroccan national team squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which marked the debut World Cup appearance for both Benzina and the Moroccan national team.[11] Morocco's first Women's World Cup match was on 24 July against Germany, where Benzina made headlines around the world for being the first player on the team roster to wear a hijab at a World Cup match, though she did not play in the match.[12][13] On 30 July she became the first player to play in a World Cup match wearing a hijab in her country's 1–0 win against South Korea.[14] After her first appearance in the World Cup, Benzina was criticized by the French media mainly by L'Équipe, for being the first female wearing a hijab in the World Cup, making Islamophobic comments.[15][16][17]

Honours

AS FAR

Morocco

See also

References
  1. "Nouhaïla BenzinaStats and titles won21/22". footballdatabase.eu. 11 May 1998. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  2. "المنتخب النسوي يخوض تجمعا إعداديا" (in Arabic). 15 February 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  3. "Benzina set to make history on World Cup day five" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. "Nouhaila Benzina makes history as first player to wear a hijab at the Women's World Cup". ABC News. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  5. "World Cup: How the hijab became tournament-ready – DW – 07/26/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  6. Farooq, Manish Pandey & Iqra (30 July 2023). "Women's World Cup 2023: 'Nouhaila Benzina is a role model to us'". BBC News. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  7. "Entrainements à Maâmoura de L'Equipe Nationale Féminine". Royal Moroccan Football Federation (in French). 20 October 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  8. Duret, Sebastien (15 January 2018). "Coupe du Monde U20 2018 (Afrique) - Le NIGERIA prend une option, le GHANA obtient le nul au CAMEROUN" (in French). Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  9. Sebastián, Rubén (5 August 2018). "SELECCIÓN NACIONAL INDIA vs SELECCION NACIONAL MARRUECOS". Cotif Alcudia (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  10. Duret, Sébastien (3 December 2020). "Amicaux - Double succès du BRESIL et du GHANA, les USA battent les PAYS-BAS, la ZAMBIE victorieuse au CHILI". Footofeminin.fr (in French). Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  11. "Morocco, Benzina set to make Women's World Cup history in a game against Germany". AP News. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  12. Luckings, Steve (24 July 2023). "Nouhaila Benzina to make history as first player to wear hijab at Women's World Cup". The National. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  13. "Five quick hits — historic moment for Moroccan star and Marta aims to create stunning World Cup record". ABC News. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  14. "Benzina becomes first to wear hijab at World Cup". BBC Sport. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  15. Rahhou, Jihane. "L'Equipe Sparks Outrage with Article Targeting Nouhaila Benzina's Wearing Hijab". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  16. "Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina makes history by wearing Hijab at the World Cup: A triumph fueled by controversy". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  17. Zouiten, Sara. "France's CNews Makes Islamophobic Remarks Toward Hijabi Moroccan Footballer". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  18. "L'Afrique du Sud remporte la CAN 2022 !" (in French). FIFA. 2 July 2022.


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