From Empty Stadiums to Global Stardom: The Unstoppable Rise of Moroccan Women’s Football
“For the first time, coffee shops were packed with men and women cheering for the Lionesses,” says Saad Moufakir, a Moroccan sports journalist. “It was a cultural shift—football was no longer just for men.”
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar became a watershed moment in Arab football, with Morocco’s Atlas Lions shocking the world by reaching the semi-finals. But, beneath the thrill of this historic victory, another quiet revolution was unfolding, bringing Moroccan women’s football to the forefront. While men’s football has gained global notoriety, women’s football in Morocco has long fought for recognition, plagued by social marginalisation, media disinterest, and financial difficulties. Today, the Atlas Lions are a beacon of hope and daring, rewriting the region’s women’s sports history.
A Decade of Challenges (2011–2016)
Ten years ago, women’s football was hardly a national concern in Morocco. “Matches were played in nearly empty stadiums,” recalls Imad Eddine Tizrit, a Moroccan journalist and head of the sports section at Alyawm24. “At that time, we hardly covered women’s matches. Fans simply weren’t interested.”
The numbers paint a stark picture. Less than 11% of football-related media coverage focused on women’s matches. Attendance at games rarely exceeded 100 spectators, and most clubs received a meager budget of 10,000–20,000 dirhams (800-1600 GBP) annually. Many players were unpaid or earned as little as 500 dirhams (40 GBP) per month. Women had virtually no access to training facilities, with less than 10% of centres open to them. (VIA: FRMF)
The Season of Revolution: 2016
In 2016, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) made a bold move by enacting changes that revolutionised women’s football. The annual budget for women’s football skyrocketed to 650 million dirhams (52 million GBP), and professional leagues were launched in 2020. Salaries improved, with first-division players earning 3,500 dirhams (276 GBP) per month.
Youth programs like “I Am Also a Champion” identified and trained 6,000 girls aged 9 to 15, while grassroots initiatives encouraged participation. By 2023, the number of registered players surged from 5,000 to over 60,000.
Breaking Barriers and Shattering Records
The Atlas Lionesses made their inaugural appearance in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2022, which was hosted by Morocco.The match versus South Africa brought 50,000 people to Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, setting an African record for women’s football attendance. At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Lionesses achieved history once more, becoming the first Arab team to reach the Round of 16. Their 1–0 victory against South Korea was watched by over 45,000 fans, showcasing the growing enthusiasm for women’s football.
Saad Moufakir emphasizes, “women’s sports in Morocco, and particularly football, have not always received the attention they deserve. But with media, internet, and digital communication, I think this gap is slowly closing”. ” As a journalist, my role has been both challenging and rewarding, as it involves breaking stereotypes and giving a platform to athletes who have been long overlooked. This was clearly seen in the World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand. When the Moroccan women’s team delivered an outstanding performance, they became the first Arab team to qualify for the World Cup. In their first appearance, they made it to the second round after defeating South Korea and Colombia, becoming the first Arab team and the second African team after Nigeria to win a World Cup match. They also reached the final of the 2021 Cup of Nations—the first Arab team to reach the final of the continental championship.”
Moroccan Players in the Spanish Women’s League
The current season of the Spanish Women’s League features seven Moroccan players showcasing their talents on the European stage. These players include Fatima Tagnaout (Sevilla), Yasmine Zouhair (Real Betis), Sakina Ouzraoui Diki (Tenerife), Anissa Lahmari (Levante UD), Yasmine Mrabet and Hanan Ait El Haj (Valencia), and Ghizlane Chebbak (Levante Badalona).
In the second week of the league, Ghizlane Chebbak became the first Moroccan player to score a goal in the 2023-2024 season. She scored her goal in the 29th minute of the first half against Levante UD. Sakina Ouzraoui Diki, playing for Tenerife, played a key role in their 4-1 win over Sevilla. Starting in the second half, Ouzraoui played a significant role in Tenerife’s first win of the season, propelling them to eighth place in the standings.
Young striker Yasmine Zahir made her debut in the Spanish Women’s League after her participation with the Moroccan national team. The 19-year-old played the entire 90 minutes with Real Betis against last season’s runner-up, Real Madrid. She also scored a crucial goal against Barcelona, helping her team in the second half of that important match.
A future built on vision
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation aims to register 90,000 female players by 2025, and has secured the rights to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup from 2025 to 2029. Work is also underway to improve infrastructure, including expanded training facilities and regional leagues for young players.
“It’s not just about winning matches. It’s about creating an ecosystem where women’s football can flourish and inspire future generations,” said FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa at a recent press conference.
Legends of female footballers
From empty stadiums to standing ovations, Moroccan women’s football has come a long way. Female footballers have shown that with investment, vision and determination, even the most entrenched barriers can be overcome.
“Women’s football is no longer marginalised,” adds Tizrit. “It now stands side by side with men’s football, proving that the game belongs to everyone.”
As Morocco continues its journey, hosting major tournaments and nurturing young talent, the roar of its players grows louder and louder – a reminder that when equality prevails, everyone wins.
