Can Muslim women play football?

Women and sport in early Islam

Aisha said she raced the Prophet ﷺ on foot and won, and later he won a second race and joked, "This is for that" (Sunan Abi Dawud 2578). Women of the early Muslim community nursed the wounded on battlefields, rode, and travelled. The idea that sport is only for men doesn't come from the Prophet's ﷺ example. The general hadith applies to women too: "The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer" (Sahih Muslim 2664).

What to wear on the pitch

The Quran asks believing women to cover their adornment in public:

On the pitch, that usually looks like:

• A sports hijab that pins or pulls on, with no loose ends. FIFA has allowed head covers in official matches since 2014.
• Long-sleeved base layer under the team shirt.
• Football leggings or tracksuit bottoms, with shorts on top if the kit requires them.

For practical hijab styles that stay put, see How do I wear hijab for sports? Trousers in general are fine too; see Can Muslim women wear trousers?

Women's team or mixed team?

Women's leagues and five-a-side groups are the easiest choice, and they're growing fast in the UK, Europe and the USA, including Muslim women's clubs. Scholars are more cautious about mixed games, because football involves close physical contact. Many say to avoid mixed matches; some allow casual mixed kickabouts with modest dress and no deliberate contact. See Can I still play on a mixed sports team as a Muslim?

Spectators, prayer and Ramadan

Some women prefer women-only sessions in an indoor hall, where they can play without hijab if no men can see in. Check the hall's windows and staff before taking it off. Plan matches so you can pray on time, and in Ramadan consider lighter sessions after iftar instead of hard training while fasting.