Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina made history on Sunday by becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup during their 1-0 win over South Korea.
The 25-year-old defender was an unused substitute for Morocco’s opening 6-0 defeat against Germany last week but was selected in the starting line-up by manager Reynald Pedros for the crucial match in Adelaide. The wearing of head coverings for religious reasons was authorised by Fifa in 2014 and Benzina wore a white Islamic headscarf as she played the entire match in a vital victory that kept alive Morocco’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages on their World Cup debut.
Benzina, who plays in Morocco for AS FAR (Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal), is the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women’s international tournament.
Fifa had previously banned the hijab on health and safety grounds but that was changed in 2014 before the Under-17 Women’s World Cup that was held in Jordan.
Morocco are now level on three points with Germany and Colombia, who play each other later on Sunday. South Korea have zero points and will be eliminated if Germany avoid defeat.
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