MASHHAD, IRAN: In a rare and symbolic breakthrough, women were allowed to attend a domestic cup football match in Iran — a move hailed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a positive stride toward inclusivity in sports. The milestone event took place at the Imam Reza Stadium during the Hazfi Cup clash between Nassaji Mazandaran and Shahid Ghandi Yazd.
Infantino expressed his delight on social media, describing the sight of women in the stands as “a powerful reminder that football belongs to everyone.” He noted that Iran had previously opened stadium doors for women in limited numbers, including last year’s league match in Isfahan that saw around 45,000 women in attendance, and a Tehran derby in 2023 which welcomed approximately 3,000 female spectators.
The long-standing ban on women entering stadiums dates back to the 1979 revolution, leaving generations of female fans excluded from live football experiences. Activist groups, including Open Stadiums, have persistently campaigned against this restriction, calling the recent development “a positive but overdue step.” However, they cautioned that access remains selective, with only a small number of women allowed and certain seating zones still off-limits.
Infantino emphasized that FIFA would continue to advocate for complete gender inclusion across all footballing nations. “Every fan, regardless of gender, should have the right to watch their team and celebrate the game freely,” he remarked.
While the progress is incremental, many see this as a turning point — a sign that Iran may be slowly dismantling barriers that once kept women on the sidelines of the nation’s favorite sport.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.