Qatari Female Footballers

Female Qatari footballers are being encouraged by government policies to pursue sports careers in accordance with pressure from international organizations. At the same time, they are subject to a conservative in which it is largely unacceptable for women to play football. This tension has driven many female football players in Qatar to create a safe space for their activities through forming university teams. Using interviews with young women engaged in football activities, this chapter shows that these safe spaces do not carry the same negative connotations of masculinity as the official clubs and national team do – which subsequently enables women to challenge the perception that it is impossible for them to play football, while preserving their femininity and adhering to societal moral codes at the same time. By establishing women’s football as a university activity rather than something that conflicts with their academic priorities, they are able to play football without getting into conflicts with their families. These women seek the freedom to pursue their objectives and shape their own lives.