Zoubaida El Fathi, Journalist
Photo: The journalist with her daughter on a soccer field
Until a few years ago, the presence of women in Moroccan football venues was almost non-existent. Women’s football was considered a minor issue, restricted to the national sphere with no media or economic impact.
Everything changed with the organization of high-profile events like the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2022, and especially with the historic participation of the Atlas Lionesses in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. During WAFCON 2022, over 60,000 people attended the final held in Rabat, setting a continental record. This success led to a gradual shift in mindsets, awakening national pride and positioning female footballers as public figures.
This transformation was also reflected in the stands: spaces previously dominated by male audiences became more “family-friendly” stadiums, with mixed zones, special areas for women, and increased security checks.
Women in the stands: Mainstream or exception?
The Women’s World Cup and other continental tournaments marked a turning point: women watching live matches, not just in cafes or from home. “We are born with the football culture and there is equality.” During Qatar 2022, women also took on roles as analysts and commentators.
However, this presence has not become widespread. In important local matches, such as the derbies between Raja and Wydad, female attendance remains limited. Many women prefer not to attend for security reasons, fearing fights, harassment, or jostling.
Specialists emphasize the urgent need to implement clear regulations, strengthen security, and establish specific zones for women and families.
Institutional change: Policies that open doors
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has been key in this change. In 2016, it launched the Women’s Football Development Plan, which included:
• Increased budget: From 3,000 USD annually per club to 650 million dirhams.
• Creation of a professional league in 2020: First-division salaries increased from 500 to 3,500 dirhams/month.
• Promotion of sports schools: Training for female coaches and support for clubs like AS FAR, national champions and winners of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Security measures have also been implemented in stadiums, along with training for control personnel, fostering a more welcoming environment for women.
Despite the advances, prejudices persist. In October 2024, a social media campaign circulated under hashtags like “No to women in the stands,” claiming that stadiums were inappropriate environments for them. The response was a wave of rejection defending equal access and the need to improve security conditions.
These tensions reflect the conflict between a part of society that wishes to preserve “traditional” male spaces and another that fights for recognition and equal rights.
The success of the Atlas Lionesses, WAFCON finalists and 2023 World Cup participants, amplified female visibility. Images of women cheering without covering their faces went viral, symbolizing a new era.
However, testimonies in forums like Reddit reveal that family fears and risks persist. The big challenge is to transform stadiums into a safe and respectful place where women feel at home.
Towards Inclusive Stadiums: Recommendations
1. Security and accessibility
2. Awareness campaigns
3. Education for male fans
4. Media visibility: Highlight women, such as referee Bouchra Karboubi, in diverse roles (coaches, journalists, executives) as role models.
The female presence in Moroccan stadiums is no longer an exception. Major competitions have demonstrated their potential, but the path to full equality is far from complete.
The challenge is no longer just attracting women to stadiums but protecting them, supporting them, and ensuring that football is a space of shared pride. Female fans are not only arriving; they are demanding their place. And that place must be consolidated, match after match.
