For Amira Mohamed and many Egyptian female footballers, stepping onto the pitch was never just about playing a game. It was a battle, not against opponents, but against deeply rooted skepticism.
“It wasn’t always normal for girls to play football,” she shared. “It felt like no one took us seriously, but we kept playing anyway, just for the love of the game, without an audience.”
Growing up, Mohamed dreamt of playing under stadium lights, wearing the jerseys of Egypt’s top clubs, Al Ahly or Zamalek, and hearing her name echo across the stadium. Back then, it felt impossible—a dream meant only for boys.
But over the past decade, change has been slow but steady.
“Things have changed,” Mohamed said. “Big clubs are investing, matches are on TV, and the dreams we once kept hidden are now visible.”
Historically, football in Egypt was seen as a man’s sport—played in the streets and packed stadiums, with women watching from the sidelines. But in 2024, a major shift occurred. For the first time, Egypt’s Women’s Premier League was broadcast on national television, a turning point for players like Mohamed, who felt their dreams were finally becoming a reality.
Launched in 1998, Egypt’s women’s league initially struggled in obscurity, with few clubs supporting it. By 2021, the league had only 11 teams. However, recent years have brought significant change, with five new clubs joining and youth teams for girls as young as 13 being established. Even major clubs like Al Ahly and Zamalek now field women’s teams, responding to FIFA regulations and growing recognition of women’s potential in sports.
In an unprecedented move, Egypt’s ON Sports satellite channel began broadcasting women’s league matches, including post-match analysis, particularly for high-profile games.
A Cultural Shift in Egypt
The progress in women’s football owes much to key figures like Sahar el-Hawary, a former member of the Egyptian Football Association. She played a crucial role in advocating for FIFA’s mandate that major clubs must field women’s teams to maintain professional licenses.
As a result, Egyptian players such as Eman Hassan and Laila El Behery signed contracts with international clubs, transforming football from a hobby into a viable career. Additionally, initiatives like “1,000 Girls, 1,000 Dreams,” a collaboration between the British Council and Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, are empowering young women across Egypt.
“Every coach returns to their hometown and spreads the game, opening doors for girls,” said Basant Tarek, a veteran player and trainer with the KNVB program. The impact of such programs is lasting, with girls’ football teams now emerging in schools and youth centers across the country.
Still Facing Challenges
Despite progress, women’s football in Egypt still faces significant cultural resistance. Many parents continue to see football as a male-dominated sport, and societal stigma often keeps girls from pursuing their dreams.
Aya Abdel Hady, a pioneering coach from Upper Egypt, knows this struggle firsthand. “It was hard to get full support at first,” she recalled. “There were many obstacles—society, family, and even the clubs themselves. People didn’t see the value in women’s football.”
Abdel Hady’s playing career was cut short by injury, but that didn’t end her involvement with football. Her transition into coaching has seen her rise through the ranks to become head coach at Al Ahly’s Sheikh Zayed Academy and technical director of City Club’s women’s division.
Other rising stars, like Yara Amir, have seen the same transformation. “The perception of women’s football has changed,” Amir said. “It’s more visible now, and interest is growing, even if it doesn’t yet match the popularity of the men’s game.”
For many, the journey began in childhood. Amir, for example, started playing football with boys in her neighborhood, which deepened her passion for the sport. Though her family initially had doubts, their eventual support was crucial to her development.
Yasmin Yasser, a licensed coach and player, faced similar challenges growing up in Mansoura, a city with no women’s league. “People thought football was only for boys,” she explained. But her late father, a former professional footballer, encouraged her to pursue the sport, and Yasser worked her way through academies to eventually play for Al Ahly.
The Path Forward
While interest in women’s football is increasing, advocates argue that more investment is needed to sustain progress. “Without proper resources, these talents risk being left behind,” said Abdel Fattah Abbas, head coach of Egypt’s women’s national team. “The resources for women’s football are still far behind those for the men’s game, and this affects training, equipment, salaries, and even transportation.”
Abdel Hady sees the televised matches as a sign of progress, offering players a path to professional careers. However, she warns that without sustained investment—both technical and financial—the growth of women’s football could stall.
Yasser agrees, pointing out the struggles of lower-tier teams. “Some teams barely have uniforms or medical staff, let alone the budget for travel,” she said. At one point in her career, Yasser had to cover travel and training expenses out of her own pocket.
Despite these challenges, many women, like Amir, remain committed to pushing forward. “Some people still question whether women’s football is ‘worth it,’ but we keep going,” she said.
For these players, the dream of playing professionally for top clubs or representing Egypt on the national team is no longer a distant fantasy. “There’s no limit to what we can do,” Amir concluded.
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