In a groundbreaking moment, Somali women’s national football team gears up for its first international tournament, marking a significant milestone in Somalia’s footballing history.
The Ocean Queens U-17 squad will participate in the Arab U-17 tourney to be held in Jordan from 26 March 2026, while just a few years back, women’s football was considered taboo in Somalia due to cultural perspectives.
The president of Somali Football Federation, Ali Abdi Mohamed‘s determination and perseverance have been instrumental in changing wrong perceptions. “We have worked tirelessly to get our women’s national team on track. It was a long and difficulty journey to persuade our community that women’s football is not a crime in the Islamic stance and is not shame as long as women dress accordingly” president Ali Abdi Mohamed, said.
“We did everything in our capacity to develop women’s football, we introduced grassroots programs and provided the necessary trainings and equipment to our female footballers. This is a proud moment for me and for the entire Somali football family” president Ali Abdi Mohamed, noted.
“I am committed to making sure that our team gets the resources they need to succeed” the president added, during a visit to the team’s training ground on Sunday.
Once undreamed of, women’s football is now a reality in Somalia.
No one had ever thought that Somali women would one day enjoy playing football in the horn of African nation, where even men were once banned from playing the beautiful game by militants who gave football different names such as [Un-Islamic or Satanic act], but something undreamed of now became possible in Somalia
Girls playing football was even considered the biggest shame somebody faces and as a result parents wouldn’t allow their daughters to kick the ball, but one man’s dream has changed everything.
“A few years back, I sat down and thought of the creation of women’s football. I knew there were many challenges, but I decided to kick start the program with awareness campaigns, because there was nothing wrong with it, but cultural barriers needed to be removed and that was our starting point” SFF president said adding that something once impossible, has finally become possible in Somalia.
Now dozens of women’s football clubs are active in the country and the first official national football league with a greater participation is under way. Women and girls are enjoying football and Somali Football Federation plans to send the first women’s national team to Arab U-17 women’s competition to be hosted in Jordan in March this year.
