Earlier this year, Hadiya Hakeem collaborated with fellow freestyler Maymi Asgari in a video shot at Al Seef, which went on to garner nearly 2 million views.
From a girl with big dreams to living her dream life, Hadiya Hakeem’s journey has transformed significantly since the last World Cup in Qatar. The hijabi freestyle footballer, who was previously invited to perform in Qatar, is now married and based in the UAE.
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 underway, Hadiya says she has a packed schedule. “I am performing several days at a fan zone in Dubai, and I also have some brand collaborations for this FIFA World Cup,” she told.
“As the competition gets underway, I am receiving a lot of calls and enquiries. Initially, I had hoped to attend the World Cup matches, but my visa was rejected. Now I feel it was a blessing in disguise, as it allowed me to stay in the UAE and be in the middle of all the action,” she added.
Finding freestyle football
Growing up in Qatar as a young girl with two brothers, Hadiya developed a strong passion for football. However, when her family moved back to India for her mother’s treatment, she no longer had access to structured spaces to play.
“There were no women’s football teams in my locality,” she said. “That’s when I discovered freestyle football, which you can practise on your own. I picked it up out of my love for the sport.”
She began with basic tricks and quickly found encouragement from those around her. “My first performance was at school,” she recalled. “One of my school videos went viral, and everyone in my village was proud. They became some of my biggest cheerleaders.”
The call that changed everything
One of those viral clips eventually led to an invitation to the Qatar World Cup. “When I first received the message, I thought it was a scam,” she laughed. “But I soon realised it was real. That trip meant everything to me.”
“It was the city I grew up in, and the World Cup is every footballer’s dream. While there, I took part in an influencer football match alongside my heroes like Tom Cahill and Cafu. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Despite the recognition, Hadiya said there were moments when she felt discouraged.
“Last time, I was not able to qualify for the freestyler World Cup,” she said. “I was devastated, but giving up was never an option. I loved football too much. My message to others is that you don’t need everything figured out when you start something you’re passionate about. If you put in the effort, things will eventually fall into place.”
A new life in the UAE
After the Qatar World Cup, Hadiya hoped to move to the UAE, a dream she fulfilled last year when she arrived with her husband.
“I always wanted to come to the UAE because the opportunities this country offers to hijabis and football lovers are unmatched,” she said. “I feel incredibly blessed to be here and I’m enjoying every moment. My elder brother is also here, working as a football coach.”
Earlier this year, she collaborated with fellow freestyler Maymi Asgari in a video filmed at Al Seef in Dubai, which went on to receive nearly 2 million views.
“Sometimes I pinch myself”
Hadiya said she still struggles to believe how far she has come.
“Sometimes I pinch myself to see if my life is real,” she said. “Before the World Cup in Qatar, I was just a little girl with big dreams. Today, I’ve achieved so many things I never even imagined.”
She now hopes to give back by teaching freestyle football to the next generation.
“I am actively trying to set up a coaching programme,” she said. “One of my biggest motivations is to inspire at least one young girl to take up football. Coaching is the best way to reach the younger generation.”
Hadiya also continues to push her own limits.
“Some tricks require a lot of practice,” she said. “I train for about four hours, at least four times a week. I also want to try and qualify for the next freestyler tournament.”
