Sarah Essam

Sarah Essam Mohamed Salah Eldin Mohamed Hassanin (; born 6 April 1999) is the first Egyptian female to play football in the UK and Spain. Chosen as FIFA’s official Ambassador for World Cup Qatar 2022. She plays as a winger and attacker for Pyrgos AFC in the Greek A Division and the Egypt women's national team.

College career Essam enrolled in the University of Derby where she studied civil engineering. She also played for her university team, alongside Stoke, and was awarded a football scholarship for her senior year.

Club career Essam played soccer with her siblings when she was a child and also played basketball.

After playing in Egypt, Essam became the first Egyptian woman to play competitive football in the UK when she signed with Stoke City in 2017. She also tried out at Sunderland, Derby County, and Birmingham. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the English FA's Women's National League season results were expunged, and Essam returned to Egypt to train.

In 2023, she signed with Rugby Borough as part of the team's rebranding efforts.

International career Essam played with the Egypt U-17 national team in 2016 World Cup qualifiers.

She was called up for 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification in September 2023. She scored in both legs of Egypt's 8-0 aggregate victory over South Sudan.

Personal life Essam's brother Mostafa is a former goalkeeper for Al Mokawloon.

Essam was an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup, working alongside David Beckham.

Essam also signed with Adidas, making her the first Egyptian footballer the sporting giant has signed.

Career statistics No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 19 February 2023 Fouad Chehab Stadium, Jounieh, Lebanon 2–0 2–1 Friendly