VIDEO SHOWS: BARCELONA PLAYER FRENKIE DE JONG POSING WITH BARCA JERSEY DURING HIS CONTRACT RENEWAL CEREMONY, REMARKS BY DE JONG AT NEWS CONFERENCE COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: BARCELONA, SPAIN (OCTOBER 15, 2025) (FORTA – No use Spain)
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VIDEO SHOWS: DONALD TRUMP COMMENTS ON BOSTON HOSTING FIFA WORLD CUP GAMES AT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ARGENTINE PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI, FILE FOOTAGE OF TRUMP & GIANNI INFANTINO IN THE OVAL OFFICE, AND FILE FOOTAGE OF GILLETTE STADIUM. FULL SHOTLIST AND SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: TO FOLLOW STORY: TO FOLLOW
(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
VIDEO SHOWS: DONALD TRUMP COMMENTS ON BOSTON HOSTING FIFA WORLD CUP GAMES AT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ARGENTINE PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI, FILE FOOTAGE OF TRUMP & GIANNI INFANTINO IN THE OVAL OFFICE, AND FILE FOOTAGE OF GILLETTE STADIUM. FULL SHOTLIST AND SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: TO FOLLOW STORY: TO FOLLOW
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VIDEO SHOWS: DONALD TRUMP COMMENTS ON BOSTON HOSTING FIFA WORLD CUP GAMES AT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ARGENTINE PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI, FILE FOOTAGE OF TRUMP & GIANNI INFANTINO IN THE OVAL OFFICE, AND FILE FOOTAGE OF GILLETTE STADIUM RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 14, 2025) (UNRESTRICTED POOL – Access all) 1. DONALD TRUMP ADDRESSES TABLE INCLUDING ARGENTINA PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI 2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: (REPORTER: "Mr President, Boston had some street takeovers that we saw. Are you going to work with or try and work with the mayor of Boston? And then they have a World Cup, they have several World Cup games, I know Argentina knows about World Cups, they have several World Cup games, could those games move to cities that do work with you?") "We could take them away. I love the people of Boston. I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good. There are worse than her. At least she's intelligent. You know, some are extremely low IQ. Those bother me more. She's intelligent, but she's radical left. And they're taking over parts of Boston, that's a pretty big statement, right? We could get them back in about two seconds. All she has to do is call us. We'll go in and take them back. But she's afraid to, because she thinks it's bad politically." 3. AMERICAN AND ARGENTINE DELEGATES AROUND THE MEETING TABLE 4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: "No, I think she is hurting Boston. The answer is yes. If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni (Infantino), the head of FIFA, who's phenomenal, and I would say, 'let's move it to another location.' And he would do that. He wouldn't love to do it, but he'd do it. Very easily, he'd do it. And this is the right time to do it. If I thought Boston was doing something that was going to be – cause safety conditions for the, you know, World Cup, I could say the same thing for the Olympics. Because, you know, we have events that are in different locations for the Olympics. It's based in L.A. If I thought L.A. was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location, if I had to." 5. AMERICAN AND ARGENTINE DELEGATES AROUND THE MEETING TABLE 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: "Boston better clean up their act, that's all I can say." WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (FILE – AUGUST 22, 2025) (UNRESTRICTED POOL – Access all) 7. VARIOUS OF TRUMP AND FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO IN THE OVAL OFFICE WITH THE FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY 8. INFANTINO PRESENTS TRUMP WITH LARGE, SYMBOLIC, WORLD CUP FINAL TICKET FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES (FILE – JUNE 10, 2022) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 9. VARIOUS AERIAL SHOTS OF GILLETTE STADIUM – HOME OF NFL'S NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES (FILE – SEPTEMBER 2024) (FIFA VNR – Access all) 10. INTERIOR OF STADIUM STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (October 14) that he could consider relocating 2026 World Cup matches scheduled for the Boston area, citing public safety concerns and criticizing Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Seven World Cup games are slated for Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, about 30 miles southwest of Boston, as part of the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. FIFA finalized the 16 host cities and match allocations in 2022. Tournament control ultimately rests with FIFA. Earlier this month, FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani reiterated the body's authority over venue decisions: "It's FIFA's tournament, FIFA's jurisdiction. FIFA makes those decisions." Trump's remarks came during his White House appearance with Argentine President Javier Milei, days after Boston police reported multiple arrests tied to a late-night street gathering that turned violent. Wu's office did not immediately comment. The first match in Boston is scheduled for June 13, featuring teams from Group C on Day 3 of the tournament. (Production: Joseph Andrews)
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VIDEO SHOWS: DONALD TRUMP COMMENTS ON BOSTON HOSTING FIFA WORLD CUP GAMES AT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ARGENTINE PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI, FILE FOOTAGE OF TRUMP & GIANNI INFANTINO IN THE OVAL OFFICE, AND FILE FOOTAGE OF GILLETTE STADIUM. FULL SHOTLIST AND SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: TO FOLLOW STORY: TO FOLLOW
(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
VIDEO SHOWS: DONALD TRUMP COMMENTS ON BOSTON HOSTING FIFA WORLD CUP GAMES AT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ARGENTINE PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI, FILE FOOTAGE OF TRUMP & GIANNI INFANTINO IN THE OVAL OFFICE, AND FILE FOOTAGE OF GILLETTE STADIUM. FULL SHOTLIST AND SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: TO FOLLOW STORY: TO FOLLOW
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SPORTS DAILY OUTLOOK – WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2025 . EXPECTED: . OLYMPICS-2026/ – Organisers of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics to set out details of the torch relay that will criss-cross Italy for two months before the February 6 opening ceremony. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . TENNIS-NINGBO/- Day three of the Ningbo Open – a WTA 500 tournament. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . TENNIS-ALMATY/ – Day three of the Almaty Open – an ATP 250 tournament. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . TENNIS-STOCKHOLM/ – Day three of the Nordic Open – an ATP 250 tournament in Stockholm. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . BASEBALL-MLB-TOR-SEA/: – Game three of the MLB American League Championship Series between TBC and the Toronto Blue Jays. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . TENNIS-BRUSSELS/ – Day three of the European Open – an ATP 250 tournament in Brussels. ON MERIT TENNIS-SAUDI/ The quarter-finals of the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. DELIVERY TIME TBC . MOTOR-F1-ASTONMARTIN/ Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso will unveil Aston Martin Aramco's first bespoke car livery at Aramco's U.S. headquarters in Houston EXPECTED 2300GMT APPROX . MOTOR-BUSINESS/ Mercedes F1 CEO, Toto Wolff headlines at the Autosport Business Exchange at the Classic Car Club Manhattan in New York City. DELIVERY TIME TBC – ON MERIT . SURFING-WSL/:- The latest action from the Saquarema Pro, the fifth round of the 2025 World Surf League Challenger Series. POSSIBLE ONLY – DEPENDENT ON WEATHER CONDITIONS . DELIVERED: . 6904-NIGERIA-WOMEN/SOCCER – WIDER IMAGE-Nigerian girls chase soccer dreams in Muslim north DELIVERED 0727GMT . 3760-BASEBALL-MLB-MIL-LAD – Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers shut down Brewers, grab 2-0 NLCS edge DELIVERED 0527GMT . 3749-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-SAU-IRQ/REPORT – Saudi Arabia earn draw with Iraq to secure World Cup berth DELIVERED 0247GMT . 3744-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-CIV-KEN – Ivory Coast book World Cup berth with emphatic 3-0 win over Kenya DELIVERED 2342GMT . 3507-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ITA-ISR – Italy and Israel hold press conferences following their World Cup qualifier in Udine DELIVERED 2256GMT . 3693-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-SAU-IRQ – Saudi Arabia earn draw with Iraq to secure World Cup berth DELIVERED 2226GMT . 3695-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-QAT-UAE – Qatar book World Cup slot as second-half headers sink UAE DELIVERED 2218GMT . 3720-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ITA-ISR/PROTESTS-CLASHES-UPDATE – Clashes at pro-Palestinian march against Italy v Israel World Cup qualifier DELIVERED 2157GMT . 3705-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ITA-ISR/PROTESTS-CLASHES-MORE – Police and protesters clash at pro-Palestine march against Italy v Israel World Cup qualifier DELIVERED 2028GMT . 3703-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ITA-ISR/PROTESTS-CLASHES – Clashes break out at pro-Palestinian protest at time of Italy v Israel World Cup qualifier DELIVERED 1926GMT . 3669-TENNIS-STOCKHOLM – Etcheverry and Cilic advance to Stockholm Open quarterfinals DELIVERED 1815GMT . 3667-TENNIS-BRUSSELS – Lucky Loser Royer upsets Baez at European Open DELIVERED 1800GMT . 3501-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ITA-ISR/PROTESTS – 'Show Israel the red card,' Pro-Palestinians claim as they march in Udine on match day DELIVERED 1728GMT . 3602-ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/INDONESIA – Israeli gymnasts 'shocked' and 'heartbroken' over World Champs exclusion DELIVERED 1612GMT . 3633-SOCCER-FRIENDLY-JPN-BRA-REPORT – Ancelotti calls for mental resilience after Brazil's first loss to Japan DELIVERED 1512GMT . 3601-SOCCER-SWEDEN – Sweden sack manager Tomasson after dismal start to World Cup qualifying DELIVERED 1511GMT . 3534-TENNIS-NINGBO – Raducanu beaten in Ningbo Open first round DELIVERED 1511GMT . 3174-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ITA-ISR/PREVIEW-ISRAEL – Soccer – World Cup – European qualifiers – Israel MD-1 press conferences & training DELIVERED 1427GMT . 3520-CRICKET-TEST-IND-WIN – India sweep West Indies 2-0 in test series DELIVERED 1131GMT . 3464-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ZAF-RWA-PREVIEW – South Africa "ready to win" against Rwanda in soccer World Cup qualifiers, says coach Broos DELIVERED 1118GMT . 3489-ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/EGYPT-SUMMIT-INFANTINO – FIFA president attends peace summit DELIVERED 1111GMT . 3476-SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ITA-ISR-SECURITY – Udine ramps up security ahead of Italy-Israel World Cup qualifier DELIVERED 1046GMT . 3492-TENNIS-ALMATY – 31-shot rally as Moutet defeats Tomic at Almaty Open DELIVERED 0958GMT More MLB content is available on Reuters Connect here: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?sources=mlbimagen . Television Editorial Support / tvsports@thomsonreuters.com Tel: +44 20 7542 2244
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VIDEO SHOWS: MUSLIM FEMALE SOCCER PLAYER IN HIJAB TRAINING AND PLAYING / SOUNDBITES ON CHALLENGES OF PLAYING IN RELIGIOUS DRESS / MOSQUE SCENES / TEAM PLAYING AT A YOUTH TOURNAMENT. SHOWS: ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF MARYAM MUHAMMED WEARING HER HIJAB 2. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED LACING HER BOOTS 3. DRONE VIEW OF SCHOOL SOCCER PITCH (MUTE) 4. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED PLAYING SOCCER WITH TEAM 5. MUHAMMED WALKING OUT OF THE SOCCER PITCH 6. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED WASHING HER SOCCER BOOTS AT HOME 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’Some members of the community…they will just see me and say unfortunate fellow, where are you going to, you are supposed to be helping them at home with house chores or go to where you will be learning some handwork, so where are you going to, what are you doing there, you have nothing to do there, at the end of the day nothing will happen, you will just come back. They will just be telling me that I will not be able to achieve anything from that thing that I am doing which I believe I will achieve something big,’’ 8. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND HER TEAMMATES JOGGING 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’Sometimes it will feel like I want to open the hijab but I don’t need to because I must not expose my hair I have to cover my hair all the time as a good Muslim, and leggings as well…it is not convenient to wear leggings because of that same heat.’’ ILORIN, NIGERIA (SEPTEMBER 26, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 9. DRONE VIEW SHOWING THE MOSQUE AND ACTIVITIES AROUND (MUTE) 10. NAME ON MOSQUE BUILDING READING (English): ‘’SHEIKH SULU GAMBARI GATE’’ 11. WOMEN PRAYING 12. WOMEN IN HIJAB CHATTING AFTER PRAYERS 13. ROAD / CARS AND PEOPLE PASSING 14. GIRLS IN HIJAB ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 15. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED’S MOTHER LOOKING AT HER MEDAL 16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARYAM MUHAMMED’S MOTHER, KEHINDE MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’So many people discouraged me that how can you leave a daughter, a small girl like this, but to me I do respect my children’s decision to whatever they want to do, all I need to do is to support them and keep on praying for them.’’ 17. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED’S TEAMMATES MASSAGING HER FOOT 18. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARYAM MUHAMMED’S MOTHER, KEHINDE MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’I still make sure that any type of colour of their jersey, I will make the hijab for her because I don’t like her to expose her body as a lady. Sometimes I do counsel her that this is the normal way she is supposed to be dressed as a Muslim.’’ 19. DRONE MOVING THROUGH THE GOAL POST TO GIRLS TRAINING (MUTE) 20. VARIOUS OF GIRLS TRAINING 21. COACH MUYHIDEEN ABDULWAHAB WALKING ACROSS THE FIELD WITH CONE 22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) COACH, MODEL QUEENS FOOTBALL ACADEMY, MUYHIDEEN ABDULWAHAB, SAYING: ‘’The use of hijab is being approved, the use of the long inner trousers so that the various parts of their bodies will not show, despite the fact that we provide them with evidence, we still have some that it is a no for them.’’ 23. VARIOUS OF BASHIRAT OMOTOSHO HELPING HER MOTHER TO FRY AND SELL YEASTED DOUGH SNACKS LOCALLY CALLED PUFF-PUFF 24. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, BASHIRAT OMOTOSHO, SAYING: ‘’Sometimes my teammates will have to go for a road walk, they will meet me here, but I don’t have a choice, I cannot leave my mother alone because this is where I am getting my money…everything, so sometimes training will be in the morning and I will not be able to go.’’ 25. VARIOUS OF BASHIRAT’S MOTHER SCOOPING DOUGH INTO POT OF HOT OIL 26. (SOUNDBITE) (Yoruba) BASHIRAT’S MOTHER, TITILAYO OMOTOSHO, SAYING: "Seeing other Muslim girls succeed, like Asisat, encouraged us to let her play," ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 29, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 27. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND TEAM PLAYING FINALS AT A YOUTH TOURNAMENT 28. VARIOUS OF SPECTATORS 29. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND TEAM POSING FOR PHOTOS ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 30. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’I really love this thing (soccer) and I have passion for it, and since my parents support me, I don’t have any…there is nothing stopping me, so I have to pursue my dreams because football is my dream’’ 31. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED IN HER SITTING ROOM, WATCHING HER HERO – SPANISH SOCCER PLAYER SERGIO BUSQUETS ON A PHONE STORY: When Maryam Muhammed laces up her boots and heads to soccer training at a local school in Ilorin, central Nigeria, she has to overcome the sweltering heat made worse by her hijab and leggings as well as scorn from some in the local community. In central Nigeria's Muslim-majority state of Kwara, where religious traditions shape daily life, a group of girls are challenging cultural norms by playing soccer. They've embraced the game's team spirit, competitive thrill, plus the highs and lows of winning and losing, all whilst trying to ignore the disapproval of those who consider it unsuitable for women who choose to dress modestly. Muhammed, 17, regularly hears taunts as she walks to her training sessions with the Model Queens Football Academy. "They tell me I won't achieve anything. But I believe I will achieve something big," she said. Despite the discomfort, it is important to her to cover up when she plays rather than wear shorts and a t-shirt. "Sometimes it feels like I want to open the hijab, but I must not expose my hair," she said. "I have to put it on as a good Muslim." Hijabs, which cover the head and neck, were barred by soccer's world governing body FIFA on safety grounds in 2007, a move which led to the Iranian women's team being banned from a qualifying match for the 2012 Olympics. The ban was relaxed in 2012, and the hijab fully permitted in 2014. Nouhaila Benzina of Morocco became the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women's tournament in 2023. Muhammed's mother, Kehinde Muhammed, has faced criticism for allowing her daughter to play. "So many people discouraged me," she said. "But I respect my children's decisions. I support her and keep praying for her." She sews hijabs to match team jerseys. "I counsel her that this is the normal way you're supposed to be dressed as a Muslim," she said. Model Queens coach Muyhideen Abdulwahab is trying to change perceptions. "We go out to meet parents, to tell them there are laws in place for modest dressing," he said. "Despite that, some still say no." Team member Bashirat Omotosho, 19, is passionate about the sport but cannot always attend training because she has to help her mother sell puff puff, a fried dough snack, at a roadside stall in order for the family to make enough money. Sometimes the team jog past the stall as part of their training, which is frustrating for her. "Training is often in the morning, but I have to be here," she said, handing snacks to customers. "I can't leave my mum – this is how I earn money." Her mother, Titilayo Omotosho, was initially hostile to the teenager's sporting ambition. "Why would a lady choose football?" she asked. But after her husband gave his blessing, the mother relented. "Seeing other Muslim girls succeed, like Asisat, encouraged us to let her play," she said, referring to Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala, the record six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year. Oshoala, who does not wear a hijab on the pitch, comes from Lagos, in southwest Nigeria, where Islam is less conservative. On August 29, Muhammed captained the Model Queens in a youth tournament final. They lost. At the whistle, she high-fived teammates and cheered as they received runners-up medals. Later, alone in her room, she broke down in tears over the defeat. But the support of he…
(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
VIDEO SHOWS: MUSLIM FEMALE SOCCER PLAYER IN HIJAB TRAINING AND PLAYING / SOUNDBITES ON CHALLENGES OF PLAYING IN RELIGIOUS DRESS / MOSQUE SCENES / TEAM PLAYING AT A YOUTH TOURNAMENT. SHOWS: ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF MARYAM MUHAMMED WEARING HER HIJAB 2. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED LACING HER BOOTS 3. DRONE VIEW OF SCHOOL SOCCER PITCH (MUTE) 4. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED PLAYING SOCCER WITH TEAM 5. MUHAMMED WALKING OUT OF THE SOCCER PITCH 6. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED WASHING HER SOCCER BOOTS AT HOME 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’Some members of the community…they will just see me and say unfortunate fellow, where are you going to, you are supposed to be helping them at home with house chores or go to where you will be learning some handwork, so where are you going to, what are you doing there, you have nothing to do there, at the end of the day nothing will happen, you will just come back. They will just be telling me that I will not be able to achieve anything from that thing that I am doing which I believe I will achieve something big,’’ 8. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND HER TEAMMATES JOGGING 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’Sometimes it will feel like I want to open the hijab but I don’t need to because I must not expose my hair I have to cover my hair all the time as a good Muslim, and leggings as well…it is not convenient to wear leggings because of that same heat.’’ ILORIN, NIGERIA (SEPTEMBER 26, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 9. DRONE VIEW SHOWING THE MOSQUE AND ACTIVITIES AROUND (MUTE) 10. NAME ON MOSQUE BUILDING READING (English): ‘’SHEIKH SULU GAMBARI GATE’’ 11. WOMEN PRAYING 12. WOMEN IN HIJAB CHATTING AFTER PRAYERS 13. ROAD / CARS AND PEOPLE PASSING 14. GIRLS IN HIJAB ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 15. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED’S MOTHER LOOKING AT HER MEDAL 16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARYAM MUHAMMED’S MOTHER, KEHINDE MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’So many people discouraged me that how can you leave a daughter, a small girl like this, but to me I do respect my children’s decision to whatever they want to do, all I need to do is to support them and keep on praying for them.’’ 17. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED’S TEAMMATES MASSAGING HER FOOT 18. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARYAM MUHAMMED’S MOTHER, KEHINDE MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’I still make sure that any type of colour of their jersey, I will make the hijab for her because I don’t like her to expose her body as a lady. Sometimes I do counsel her that this is the normal way she is supposed to be dressed as a Muslim.’’ 19. DRONE MOVING THROUGH THE GOAL POST TO GIRLS TRAINING (MUTE) 20. VARIOUS OF GIRLS TRAINING 21. COACH MUYHIDEEN ABDULWAHAB WALKING ACROSS THE FIELD WITH CONE 22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) COACH, MODEL QUEENS FOOTBALL ACADEMY, MUYHIDEEN ABDULWAHAB, SAYING: ‘’The use of hijab is being approved, the use of the long inner trousers so that the various parts of their bodies will not show, despite the fact that we provide them with evidence, we still have some that it is a no for them.’’ 23. VARIOUS OF BASHIRAT OMOTOSHO HELPING HER MOTHER TO FRY AND SELL YEASTED DOUGH SNACKS LOCALLY CALLED PUFF-PUFF 24. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, BASHIRAT OMOTOSHO, SAYING: ‘’Sometimes my teammates will have to go for a road walk, they will meet me here, but I don’t have a choice, I cannot leave my mother alone because this is where I am getting my money…everything, so sometimes training will be in the morning and I will not be able to go.’’ 25. VARIOUS OF BASHIRAT’S MOTHER SCOOPING DOUGH INTO POT OF HOT OIL 26. (SOUNDBITE) (Yoruba) BASHIRAT’S MOTHER, TITILAYO OMOTOSHO, SAYING: "Seeing other Muslim girls succeed, like Asisat, encouraged us to let her play," ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 29, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 27. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND TEAM PLAYING FINALS AT A YOUTH TOURNAMENT 28. VARIOUS OF SPECTATORS 29. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND TEAM POSING FOR PHOTOS ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 30. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’I really love this thing (soccer) and I have passion for it, and since my parents support me, I don’t have any…there is nothing stopping me, so I have to pursue my dreams because football is my dream’’ 31. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED IN HER SITTING ROOM, WATCHING HER HERO – SPANISH SOCCER PLAYER SERGIO BUSQUETS ON A PHONE STORY: When Maryam Muhammed laces up her boots and heads to soccer training at a local school in Ilorin, central Nigeria, she has to overcome the sweltering heat made worse by her hijab and leggings as well as scorn from some in the local community. In central Nigeria's Muslim-majority state of Kwara, where religious traditions shape daily life, a group of girls are challenging cultural norms by playing soccer. They've embraced the game's team spirit, competitive thrill, plus the highs and lows of winning and losing, all whilst trying to ignore the disapproval of those who consider it unsuitable for women who choose to dress modestly. Muhammed, 17, regularly hears taunts as she walks to her training sessions with the Model Queens Football Academy. "They tell me I won't achieve anything. But I believe I will achieve something big," she said. Despite the discomfort, it is important to her to cover up when she plays rather than wear shorts and a t-shirt. "Sometimes it feels like I want to open the hijab, but I must not expose my hair," she said. "I have to put it on as a good Muslim." Hijabs, which cover the head and neck, were barred by soccer's world governing body FIFA on safety grounds in 2007, a move which led to the Iranian women's team being banned from a qualifying match for the 2012 Olympics. The ban was relaxed in 2012, and the hijab fully permitted in 2014. Nouhaila Benzina of Morocco became the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women's tournament in 2023. Muhammed's mother, Kehinde Muhammed, has faced criticism for allowing her daughter to play. "So many people discouraged me," she said. "But I respect my children's decisions. I support her and keep praying for her." She sews hijabs to match team jerseys. "I counsel her that this is the normal way you're supposed to be dressed as a Muslim," she said. Model Queens coach Muyhideen Abdulwahab is trying to change perceptions. "We go out to meet parents, to tell them there are laws in place for modest dressing," he said. "Despite that, some still say no." Team member Bashirat Omotosho, 19, is passionate about the sport but cannot always attend training because she has to help her mother sell puff puff, a fried dough snack, at a roadside stall in order for the family to make enough money. Sometimes the team jog past the stall as part of their training, which is frustrating for her. "Training is often in the morning, but I have to be here," she said, handing snacks to customers. "I can't leave my mum – this is how I earn money." Her mother, Titilayo Omotosho, was initially hostile to the teenager's sporting ambition. "Why would a lady choose football?" she asked. But after her husband gave his blessing, the mother relented. "Seeing other Muslim girls succeed, like Asisat, encouraged us to let her play," she said, referring to Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala, the record six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year. Oshoala, who does not wear a hijab on the pitch, comes from Lagos, in southwest Nigeria, where Islam is less conservative. On August 29, Muhammed captained the Model Queens in a youth tournament final. They lost. At the whistle, she high-fived teammates and cheered as they received runners-up medals. Later, alone in her room, she broke down in tears over the defeat. But the support of he…
(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
VIDEO SHOWS: MUSLIM FEMALE SOCCER PLAYER IN HIJAB TRAINING AND PLAYING / SOUNDBITES ON CHALLENGES OF PLAYING IN RELIGIOUS DRESS / MOSQUE SCENES / TEAM PLAYING AT A YOUTH TOURNAMENT. SHOWS: ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF MARYAM MUHAMMED WEARING HER HIJAB 2. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED LACING HER BOOTS 3. DRONE VIEW OF SCHOOL SOCCER PITCH (MUTE) 4. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED PLAYING SOCCER WITH TEAM 5. MUHAMMED WALKING OUT OF THE SOCCER PITCH 6. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED WASHING HER SOCCER BOOTS AT HOME 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’Some members of the community…they will just see me and say unfortunate fellow, where are you going to, you are supposed to be helping them at home with house chores or go to where you will be learning some handwork, so where are you going to, what are you doing there, you have nothing to do there, at the end of the day nothing will happen, you will just come back. They will just be telling me that I will not be able to achieve anything from that thing that I am doing which I believe I will achieve something big,’’ 8. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND HER TEAMMATES JOGGING 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’Sometimes it will feel like I want to open the hijab but I don’t need to because I must not expose my hair I have to cover my hair all the time as a good Muslim, and leggings as well…it is not convenient to wear leggings because of that same heat.’’ ILORIN, NIGERIA (SEPTEMBER 26, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 9. DRONE VIEW SHOWING THE MOSQUE AND ACTIVITIES AROUND (MUTE) 10. NAME ON MOSQUE BUILDING READING (English): ‘’SHEIKH SULU GAMBARI GATE’’ 11. WOMEN PRAYING 12. WOMEN IN HIJAB CHATTING AFTER PRAYERS 13. ROAD / CARS AND PEOPLE PASSING 14. GIRLS IN HIJAB ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 15. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED’S MOTHER LOOKING AT HER MEDAL 16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARYAM MUHAMMED’S MOTHER, KEHINDE MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’So many people discouraged me that how can you leave a daughter, a small girl like this, but to me I do respect my children’s decision to whatever they want to do, all I need to do is to support them and keep on praying for them.’’ 17. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED’S TEAMMATES MASSAGING HER FOOT 18. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARYAM MUHAMMED’S MOTHER, KEHINDE MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’I still make sure that any type of colour of their jersey, I will make the hijab for her because I don’t like her to expose her body as a lady. Sometimes I do counsel her that this is the normal way she is supposed to be dressed as a Muslim.’’ 19. DRONE MOVING THROUGH THE GOAL POST TO GIRLS TRAINING (MUTE) 20. VARIOUS OF GIRLS TRAINING 21. COACH MUYHIDEEN ABDULWAHAB WALKING ACROSS THE FIELD WITH CONE 22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) COACH, MODEL QUEENS FOOTBALL ACADEMY, MUYHIDEEN ABDULWAHAB, SAYING: ‘’The use of hijab is being approved, the use of the long inner trousers so that the various parts of their bodies will not show, despite the fact that we provide them with evidence, we still have some that it is a no for them.’’ 23. VARIOUS OF BASHIRAT OMOTOSHO HELPING HER MOTHER TO FRY AND SELL YEASTED DOUGH SNACKS LOCALLY CALLED PUFF-PUFF 24. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, BASHIRAT OMOTOSHO, SAYING: ‘’Sometimes my teammates will have to go for a road walk, they will meet me here, but I don’t have a choice, I cannot leave my mother alone because this is where I am getting my money…everything, so sometimes training will be in the morning and I will not be able to go.’’ 25. VARIOUS OF BASHIRAT’S MOTHER SCOOPING DOUGH INTO POT OF HOT OIL 26. (SOUNDBITE) (Yoruba) BASHIRAT’S MOTHER, TITILAYO OMOTOSHO, SAYING: "Seeing other Muslim girls succeed, like Asisat, encouraged us to let her play," ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 29, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 27. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND TEAM PLAYING FINALS AT A YOUTH TOURNAMENT 28. VARIOUS OF SPECTATORS 29. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED AND TEAM POSING FOR PHOTOS ILORIN, NIGERIA (AUGUST 30, 2025 (REUTERS – Access all) 30. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOCCER PLAYER, MARYAM MUHAMMED, SAYING: ‘’I really love this thing (soccer) and I have passion for it, and since my parents support me, I don’t have any…there is nothing stopping me, so I have to pursue my dreams because football is my dream’’ 31. VARIOUS OF MUHAMMED IN HER SITTING ROOM, WATCHING HER HERO – SPANISH SOCCER PLAYER SERGIO BUSQUETS ON A PHONE STORY: When Maryam Muhammed laces up her boots and heads to soccer training at a local school in Ilorin, central Nigeria, she has to overcome the sweltering heat made worse by her hijab and leggings as well as scorn from some in the local community. In central Nigeria's Muslim-majority state of Kwara, where religious traditions shape daily life, a group of girls are challenging cultural norms by playing soccer. They've embraced the game's team spirit, competitive thrill, plus the highs and lows of winning and losing, all whilst trying to ignore the disapproval of those who consider it unsuitable for women who choose to dress modestly. Muhammed, 17, regularly hears taunts as she walks to her training sessions with the Model Queens Football Academy. "They tell me I won't achieve anything. But I believe I will achieve something big," she said. Despite the discomfort, it is important to her to cover up when she plays rather than wear shorts and a t-shirt. "Sometimes it feels like I want to open the hijab, but I must not expose my hair," she said. "I have to put it on as a good Muslim." Hijabs, which cover the head and neck, were barred by soccer's world governing body FIFA on safety grounds in 2007, a move which led to the Iranian women's team being banned from a qualifying match for the 2012 Olympics. The ban was relaxed in 2012, and the hijab fully permitted in 2014. Nouhaila Benzina of Morocco became the first player to wear a hijab at a senior women's tournament in 2023. Muhammed's mother, Kehinde Muhammed, has faced criticism for allowing her daughter to play. "So many people discouraged me," she said. "But I respect my children's decisions. I support her and keep praying for her." She sews hijabs to match team jerseys. "I counsel her that this is the normal way you're supposed to be dressed as a Muslim," she said. Model Queens coach Muyhideen Abdulwahab is trying to change perceptions. "We go out to meet parents, to tell them there are laws in place for modest dressing," he said. "Despite that, some still say no." Team member Bashirat Omotosho, 19, is passionate about the sport but cannot always attend training because she has to help her mother sell puff puff, a fried dough snack, at a roadside stall in order for the family to make enough money. Sometimes the team jog past the stall as part of their training, which is frustrating for her. "Training is often in the morning, but I have to be here," she said, handing snacks to customers. "I can't leave my mum – this is how I earn money." Her mother, Titilayo Omotosho, was initially hostile to the teenager's sporting ambition. "Why would a lady choose football?" she asked. But after her husband gave his blessing, the mother relented. "Seeing other Muslim girls succeed, like Asisat, encouraged us to let her play," she said, referring to Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala, the record six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year. Oshoala, who does not wear a hijab on the pitch, comes from Lagos, in southwest Nigeria, where Islam is less conservative. On August 29, Muhammed captained the Model Queens in a youth tournament final. They lost. At the whistle, she high-fived teammates and cheered as they received runners-up medals. Later, alone in her room, she broke down in tears over the defeat. But the support of he…
(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
