Keep an eye out for these rising female football stars from MENA

History was made this month when Morocco became the first Arab women's team to reach the last 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. And, although they didn’t win the cup, they still made us feel proud of their spectacular achievements. 

Undoubtedly, female footballers in the MENA region are on the rise, so The New Arab explores some of the brightest female Arab players making waves right now.

Farah Jefry

As well as being named the Champions Cup Top Scorer in 20/21, Farah is an Adidas MENA Athlete and plays for the Saudi Arabia women’s national team. The midfielder made history when Adidas announced their signing of her, making Farah the first Saudi sportswoman to represent the sports brand.

"Every girl and woman in the United Arab Emirates deserves the opportunity to pursue her sporting passions without cultural sensitivities and with society's full support. This is the dream that fuels my passion for the game and motivates me to continue striving for excellence both on and off the field"

She said about the announcement: “I’m delighted to be affiliated with such a prestigious brand like Adidas, to transform the narrative and promote football and sports among the younger female generation.”

Despite her success, Farah has also spoken of the challenges and discrimination she’s faced as a female athlete.

“I have encountered several challenges on my journey as a female football player. One of the most significant obstacles was the difficulty in finding a team with adequate facilities to train effectively.”

As part of her signing, Farah took part in Adidas’ ‘Weaved as One’ campaign, which pays homage to the fabric of Saudi culture while simultaneously highlighting themes of unity within football communities and beyond.

Menna Tarek

Mena Tarek, who currently plays for Wadi Degla women’s and Egyptian national teams, was also named an Adidas MENA Athlete.

Mena was first discovered at the age of ten, playing in the Ramadan league, where she caught the eye of a football captain who immediately signed her.

She has gone on to become the top scorer in the 2016 African U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament with eight goals. Though still very young, the forward has demonstrated her passion and determination in the sport – starting from playing in the streets to representing the best team in Egypt.

Looking forward, Mena now wants the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and media to give more support to smaller clubs, including resources for women’s football.

“Our national team is strong and we have good players but we need support and attention from the media and EFA” she expressed.

Sarah Essam

Cairo-born Sarah Essam first made headlines in 2017 as Egypt’s first-ever female Premier League footballer, after signing with Stoke City football club in the UK.

During her time with the team, she won the Golden Boot award for scoring 12 goals in 12 matches. She was also named the London Arab Foundation’s ‘Arab Woman of the Year: Achievement In Sport award’ and featured in the BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women in the World.

"Ever since I was a child, I've always been that rebel kid who likes going on adventures and reaching the impossible, so it's in my personality, even though I know people might give me looks and criticise what I do. This never stops me, it actually gives me a feeling of satisfaction when I do something different.

"The only source of support that pushed me to achieve so many things, Alhamdulillah [thank God], was myself. I used to talk to myself, motivate myself, and apply the law of attraction. I believe the strongest support for a person is themselves. I never waited for support and never will. Faith in God and working hard is my magic. It's all about adjusting your mentality to what you want and preparing yourself for any obstacles that will stand in the way of reaching your dream."

Areej Al Hammadi

Despite the lack of opportunities in women’s football, Areej Al Hammadi forged ahead and has gone on to become a midfielder with over 40 international caps for the UAE National Team, an Adidas MENA Athlete, and a Guinness World Records title holder.

The cultural barriers and stereotypes about gender roles that women in football face never deterred Areej – she remains committed to changing perceptions and promoting the benefits of women's participation in team sports.

“Every girl and woman in the United Arab Emirates deserves the opportunity to pursue her sporting passions without cultural sensitivities and with society's full support. This is the dream that fuels my passion for the game and motivates me to continue striving for excellence both on and off the field. 

"I'm committed to breaking cultural barriers and changing the commercial perception of the sport in the region. I believe that investment and opportunities are crucial for the growth and success of women's football. Together, we can create a brighter future for women's football in the United Arab Emirates and beyond.”

Sami Rahman is a freelance lifestyle writer based in London

Follow her on Twitter: @bysamirahman