A groundbreaking moment in European sports unfolded in September when Fenix FC, the continent’s first soccer team comprised entirely of transgender men, made its debut in Spain’s regional league. Despite enduring prejudice and bureaucratic obstacles, Fenix FC achieved federated status, a historic accomplishment for the transgender community and a bold step toward greater inclusion in sports.
Fenix FC, named after the mythological bird symbolizing rebirth, has shattered barriers by becoming the first all-transgender squad to compete in a league in Europe. The team now competes in the fifth tier of the regional league in Catalonia, a northwestern region known for its progressive attitude but also grappling with persistent anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Despite losing their first match 19-0, the players and supporters emphasize that the team’s significance far transcends the scoreboard.
“We didn’t create Fenix to win every game,” team founder and player Hugo Martinez, 24, explained. “We created it to build a space where trans men can play football in a safe environment.” The team’s journey to legitimacy, Martinez said, was riddled with challenges—from facing administrative hurdles to overcoming personal trauma from past experiences in cisgender sports teams.
Overcoming Prejudice and Barriers
The formation of Fenix FC was inspired by Martinez’s own painful experiences as a transgender athlete. Before transitioning, Martinez played on a women’s soccer team. However, once he began gender-affirming hormone therapy, he encountered hostility from other players, coaches, and even spectators. He was eventually forced to leave the team as his identity did not match the league’s rigid gender requirements at the time.
“I was a boy playing in the girls’ team, but without an updated ID, I wasn’t allowed to play with the boys either,” Martinez recounted. “The insults and threats from other players and people in the stands made me feel like I had no place to belong.”
In the wake of these experiences, Martinez put out a call online, seeking transgender men who wanted to play soccer in a safe and supportive space. The response was overwhelming, but the road to establishing Fenix FC was not easy. It took three years of effort to organize the team, find a local club that would accept them, and navigate the legalities of joining a regional league.
Catalonia’s regional football association (FA) presented one of the final hurdles. While Spain passed a progressive trans rights bill in 2022, making it easier for individuals to change their legal gender, Martinez and his teammates faced the challenge of gaining federated status under the Catalan FA. In recent years, the FA has allowed mixed-gender participation, which permits players of any gender to compete in men’s leagues, but incorporating an entire team of trans men was unprecedented.
After considerable negotiations, the team was granted federated status, and Fenix FC was officially incorporated into a local club in the Barcelona suburb of Sant Feliu de Llobregat.
Creating a Safe Space for Trans Athletes
For many of the players, the opportunity to join Fenix FC is about more than just playing soccer. It is about belonging to a community and having a safe space where they can be their authentic selves.
Nineteen-year-old team captain Luke Ibanez expressed his apprehensions about playing on a team with cisgender men before joining Fenix FC. “I was scared I wouldn’t fit in or that I might even be subjected to violence,” Ibanez said. “When Hugo told me about his idea for an all-trans team, I immediately said yes.”
Ibanez’s concerns were not unfounded. In 2023 alone, there were a record 302 reported cases of violence or discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in Catalonia, according to the region’s Observatory Against LGBTphobia. Of these, nearly 25% targeted transgender people. These statistics underscore the harsh realities of intolerance, even in regions that have made legal strides toward equality.
“For us, Fenix is more than just a soccer team. It’s a family, a safe space where we can be free and express ourselves without fear,” Ibanez said. “That’s what makes this team so important—not just for us, but for the trans community everywhere.”
A Historic Milestone Amid Rising Anti-LGBT Sentiment
Fenix FC’s debut comes at a time when Spain is experiencing a wave of both progressive legislation and a backlash against the LGBTQ+ community. The trans rights bill passed last year was hailed as a landmark piece of legislation, allowing individuals as young as 16 to change their legal gender without medical supervision and as young as 14 with parental consent. Yet, these advancements have been met with resistance from conservative factions, with debates about the inclusion of transgender individuals in sports taking center stage.
The Catalan FA’s decision to allow Fenix FC to participate in the league marked a major victory for trans athletes. The FA’s current policy states that players can choose to compete in leagues that align with their gender identity, and they are also permitted to use names different from their legal ones. However, the regulations in other regional associations across Spain vary, and some sports maintain more restrictive rules on gender inclusion.
Despite the inclusive policies, there remains a significant gap between the legal framework and societal acceptance. Discrimination and hostility toward transgender individuals are still prevalent. In this context, the creation of Fenix FC is a powerful act of defiance against those who seek to marginalize trans people.
A Symbol of Resilience
The team’s name, Fenix, is a fitting symbol for its journey. Like the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes, Fenix FC represents the resilience and determination of transgender men who refuse to be excluded from the sports they love.
“We may have lost our first game 19-0, but for us, it was a win just to be there,” Martinez said. “Every time we step onto the field, we are proving that trans people belong in sports. We belong in society.”
Though the road ahead will likely have more challenges, the players are committed to building a team that not only competes but also inspires. Their long-term goal is to encourage other regions and countries to follow suit, creating spaces where trans athletes can participate without fear of exclusion or violence.
The Bottom Line
The impact of Fenix FC is already extending beyond the soccer field. For many in the transgender community, the team’s debut is a beacon of hope and proof that change is possible. Advocates see Fenix FC’s success as a catalyst for broader discussions about inclusion in sports, not just in Spain but across Europe.
“This is about visibility and representation,” said Adriana Garcia, a local LGBTQ+ activist. “By simply existing, Fenix FC challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that transgender people face every day. They are sending a message to the world that we deserve to be seen, respected, and included.”
For now, Fenix FC remains focused on playing the sport they love. Win or lose, the team’s achievements off the field will resonate for years to come, serving as a reminder that true victory lies in inclusion.
This historic milestone highlights the intersection of sports, identity, and activism, marking a moment of triumph for the transgender community. Though their journey is far from over, Fenix FC stands as a powerful symbol of progress and hope for a more inclusive future.
