The Inclusive Game: Embracing the Future of Football for Transgender and Non-Binary Players

Significant history was made at the 2023 Women's World Cup when Nouhaila Benzina made headlines as the first player to compete at a senior-level global tournament while wearing a hijab. This historic moment took place during Morocco's victory over South Korea, securing a 1-0 win in Adelaide.

In the round of 16, three African teams, namely Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa, have successfully qualified while powerhouses of women's football, such as Germany, Brazil, and Canada, have all been eliminated.

Moreover, Quinn, a Canadian footballer, has made history as the first and currently only known transgender athlete to participate in a FIFA World Cup.

Quinn, the Olympic champion, participated for the entire duration of Canada's initial encounter with Nigeria. In 2020, they made a public declaration on social media, revealing their transgender and non-binary identity, and subsequently opted to go by the name Quinn with the preferred pronouns they/them.

As part of our We' Future of Football series, we explore what the game will look like for trans and non-binary players in 20 years?

What are the current rules for trans footballers?

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Quinn, a Canadian footballer, made history as the first and currently only known transgender athlete to participate in a FIFA World Cup. In the realm of English football, the determination of gender eligibility for players aged 18 and above is assessed individually, considering each case separately.

Transgender women who wish to participate in women's football must demonstrate that their blood testosterone levels fall within the range considered typical for cisgender females for a sufficient duration to minimize any potential advantages. This requirement is subject to annual evaluation, according to an FA spokesperson who informed We News. The spokesperson further explained that the FA is committed to celebrating and supporting diversity within the national game, and their transgender policy has already facilitated positive outcomes for individuals seeking to play football in their affirmed gender or in an environment that prioritizes inclusivity and safety. However, due to the complexity and ever-evolving nature of this issue, the FA, like other sports governing bodies, is presently in the process of reviewing its transgender policy for English football.

We are actively consulting and engaging with all stakeholders involved in the game, including FIFA and UEFA. These organizations are currently in the initial phase of their consultation process. Additionally, we are also collaborating with other international football and sporting governing bodies, as well as the other home nations.

Furthermore, FIFA is reassessing its gender eligibility regulations, drawing on guidance provided by legal, scientific, and human rights experts.

In 2021, a review of non-elite sports in the UK concluded that achieving fairness and safety for transgender individuals in competitive sports is challenging for several sports. The review highlighted that the use of testosterone suppression alone is unlikely to ensure fairness between transgender women and those assigned female at birth in gender-affected sports. Additionally, the review acknowledged that there are inherent disparities in strength, stamina, and physique between cisgender women and transgender women or non-binary individuals who were designated male at birth.

What are the rules for trans athletes in other sports?

In a recent announcement, British Cycling revealed its plan to ban male-born riders from participating in elite female events. Scheduled to take effect later this year, the new policy will introduce separate categories for "open" and "female" races. As a result, transgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals, and those assigned male at birth will only be eligible to compete in the open category.

The female category will continue to include individuals who were assigned female at birth and transgender men who have not started hormone therapy. The existing men's category will be merged with the open category, allowing individuals who were assigned female at birth to also participate if they choose to do so.

British Cycling suspended its previous policy in April last year due to the controversy surrounding Emily Bridges, a transgender woman who wanted to participate as a female rider in the national omnium championships. The recent policy change has dashed Bridges' aspirations of competing in women's competitions. On a related note, British Athletics is advocating for a legal revision to safeguard women's events exclusively for individuals assigned female at birth.

The governing body has declared its endorsement for transgender women to participate in a new 'open' category, which will replace the existing male category. According to UK Athletics chair Ian Beattie, it is the responsibility of sports to guarantee fairness in competition within the women's category.

He stated, "Hence, we urge for a modification in the legal framework to establish transparency and guarantee that the women's division exclusively includes athletes who were assigned female at birth."

Earlier this year, World Athletics declared its intention to engage in discussions with member federations regarding a proposition to implement stricter testosterone restrictions for transgender women athletes participating in women's competitions.

British Triathlon announced last year its intention to create two competition categories - one for individuals assigned female at birth and another 'open' category for men, transgender women, and non-binary athletes.

In 2022, the RFU and Rugby Football League revealed the prohibition of transgender women from competing in female competitions. The revised policy mandates that players can partake in the female category only if their assigned sex at birth is female.

Meet TRUK United - the UK trailblazers

TRUK United are the UK's first transgender football team. Currently, they have a trans-masculine, trans-feminine and a fully inclusive team.

Founded by Lucy Clark, a football referee who bravely disclosed being transgender in 2018, TRUK United now encompasses more than 200 players hailing from various parts of the United Kingdom.

"Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, TRUK United warmly welcomes all individuals. Our team comprises a diverse array of players, with approximately 70 percent identifying within the transgender spectrum. Additionally, we are fortunate to have a few allies," she revealed to We News.

Clark and her wife Avril established Trans Radio together. After getting requests for assistance through the radio station, they launched TRUK Listens, a trans helpline that provides free guidance to callers.

"I received countless messages from individuals expressing their desire for a team and the opportunity to participate in football. That's when I decided to take the initiative and create one."

"Football is a sport that welcomes everyone, and I won't accept anyone telling me that they are unable to play or that there isn't a team for them. Well, guess what? There is now - TRUK United," stated Clark.

"Without football, my life would be drastically different. It is a game that belongs to the entire world, and every individual should have the opportunity to participate."

In 2022, TRUK United FC achieved a historic milestone when their team of transgender women competed against Dulwich Hamlet Women FC. The following year, TRUK United created European history by organizing their first-ever match played by a team of transgender men on Trans Day of Visibility, facing off against supporters of Dulwich Hamlet FC.

Ceylon Andi Hickman, the Head of Brand at Football Beyond Borders, possesses the role of centre-back for Dulwich Hamlet FC and has participated in two matches against TRUK United.

"Matches with environments like that are exceptionally uncommon in football. It was a truly unique experience. I was fully conscious that, while playing in that game, I was participating in something intentionally orchestrated due to the challenging environment created by the system," she remarked.

"It depends on remarkable individuals who make an extra effort to establish such spaces since the system does not naturally support their existence. It's a truly depressing reality."

"When I was playing, I experienced an overwhelming feeling of appreciation towards TRUK United's existence, and Dulwich Hamlet FC for generously supporting it at such a level, alongside the loyal fans who showed up to show their support.

"Moments like these are crucial for making substantial advancements."

TRUK United strives to live stream their games whenever feasible, allowing supporters from all corners of the globe to tune in.

"It's astonishing - we have managed to sell our shirts worldwide! People are taking notice of our efforts and finding inspiration in them. I firmly believe that our initiatives will pave the way for the establishment of similar transgender teams in other nations," remarked Clark.

"That gives me the motivation to just keep doing it.".

What does the future hold?

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Thomas Hitzlsperger, a representative of the German Football Association, states that England, Scotland, and Wales have been contacted regarding their recent policy change, which allows transgender and non-binary individuals to decide whether they want to play on men's or women's teams.

The most recent Census data indicated that 262,000 individuals, accounting for 0.5 percent of the population in England and Wales, identify their gender differently from their assigned sex at birth.

Transgender teams are being formed worldwide, ranging from Germany to India, necessitating the implementation of clear guidelines in football.

In the 2023 season, the German football association (DFB) established a policy that allows transgender and non-binary individuals to decide whether they prefer to participate in men's or women's teams in amateur and youth games.

Footballing nations, such as England, Scotland, and Wales, have reached out to DFB diversity ambassador Thomas Hitzlsperger to gather additional information. Clark remains optimistic about the future, stating that there will be a growing number of confident transgender individuals participating in football. She highlights the increasing presence of LGBT+ teams and emphasizes the importance of ensuring that trans people can participate in all sports. Furthermore, Clark emphasizes that many fail to comprehend the impact of hormone replacement therapy on individuals' bodies.

She pointed out the consequences of not playing sports: the loss of muscle mass, decreased bone density, impaired respiratory and lung function, and overall weakness. However, she emphasized the importance of maintaining fairness in competitive sports while still allowing everyone to participate.

"Why should we be prevented from participating in sports just because we are transgender? We have been competing in the Olympics for years without winning many gold medals. New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, the first openly transgender athlete to compete in a different gender category than the one they were assigned at birth, was eliminated from the women's +87 kg competition after failing to complete any successful lifts in the snatch."

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Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, became the inaugural transgender athlete to participate in the Olympics. Clark argues that considering the earlier transition of individuals, devoid of puberty, should be a factor in future discussions regarding the inclusion of trans footballers in elite competitions.

She expressed, "Why should someone who is skilled enough not be given the opportunity to play at that level? I am optimistic that we can find a prominent figure who can serve as a role model for transgender individuals to aspire towards.

"Even individuals undergoing transition can continue to participate in football. We have even had players in their sixties who believed they would never play football again due to fear of non-acceptance, but now they are actively playing for TRUK," she stated.

Natalie Washington, a member of TRUK United, believes the club serves as a much-needed refuge for trans individuals in an often unfriendly world. She emphasizes the significance of having a safe space that offers respite from the everyday burdens.

Transgender individuals have a strong desire to actively participate in football and their presence cannot be disregarded. With a significant number of trans people already engaged in the sport, football will inevitably need to adapt and include us.