Hundreds of spectators gathered at a stadium in Mogadishu on Tuesday to watch a women’s football match an event that would have been nearly impossible just a few years ago due to insecurity and militant threats. The game, which saw Ilays defeat Nasiib 5-0, highlights a gradual shift in Somalia’s social and security landscape. The Al-Qaeda-linked group Al-Shabaab has long opposed sports and public entertainment, particularly women’s participation, but improved security in the capital has allowed such events to emerge.
Launched in 2024 with just 80 players, Somalia’s women’s football championship has expanded rapidly to around 600 players across 10 teams, reflecting growing acceptance and enthusiasm. While cultural resistance remains in parts of the conservative society, organizers say the sport is gaining traction without major backlash.
According to Somali Football Federation president Ali Abdi Mohamed, the progress marks a significant milestone for women in sports. Somalia’s women’s national team nicknamed the “Ocean Queens,” is preparing for its first international under-17 tournament in Tanzania, after playing its first friendly match in Djibouti in 2025. Players say football is helping redefine social norms. “For women to play football is not shameful,” said midfielder Ramas Abdi Salah, emphasizing that athletes can respect cultural values while pursuing the sport. Despite Somalia’s low global football ranking and years of conflict, the rise of women’s football signals cautious optimism and a broader push for inclusion and opportunity in the country.
