Rotterdam Venue Hosts Women-Only World Cup Viewing for Comfortable Experience

Rotterdam's Poppodium Annabel offered a unique viewing experience for the Morocco-Canada World Cup match, opening its doors exclusively to women. The initiative aimed to provide a comfortable and focused environment, a stark contrast to some previous mixed-gender events where disruptive behavior occurred.

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Men are too close, and their attention is on the women instead of the game.

Women attending the event expressed a desire for a more relaxed atmosphere. Omeima Salahi, 24, recalled a previous viewing where men were disruptive, leading to several being removed. "A few boys were very annoying," she said, describing incidents of thrown drinks. Ibtissam Elmorabit, 17, who attended with her friend Dina, 18, echoed this sentiment. "There is more chaos when men are there, and I don't feel comfortable," Ibtissam stated, while Dina added, "Men are too close, and their attention is on the women instead of the game."

The venue buzzed with a festive energy, featuring loud music, Moroccan flags, and refreshments like tea and cookies. Attendees, many sporting red Moroccan shirts and scarves, gathered on the square outside before entering. Inside, the atmosphere was lively, with dancing, clapping, and cheering, especially as the Moroccan team appeared on the large screen.

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There is more chaos when men are there, and I don't feel comfortable.

Despite a goalless first half described by some as "tame," the enthusiasm remained high. Visitors took breaks outside, but the shared anticipation for Morocco to score in the second half was palpable. The female-only event provided a dedicated space for fans to connect with the game and each other, free from the disturbances some had experienced previously.

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A few boys were very annoying.