An Afghanistan women’s refugee team have been granted eligibility for international competitions, five years after national team players fled their country’s Taliban rule.
The FIFA Council on Tuesday agreed to amend its regulations to recognize the refugee team, who play under the name Afghan Women United.
While it is too late for the team to try to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, they could participate in qualification for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Photo: AP
The first move toward recognition came in October last year, when the Afghan refugees played in a tournament that included Chad, Libya and Tunisia in Morocco. That event followed years of lobbying on the team’s behalf by players, former captain and activist Khalida Popal, and human rights groups.
“For five years, we were told the Afghanistan women’s national team could never compete again because the men who took our country would not allow it,” Popal said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of this decision by FIFA and glad that our collective advocacy has not only changed the future for Afghan women, but also ensured that no other national team has to sacrifice what our players did.”
More than 80 Afghan refugee players are scattered across Australia, the US and Europe.
The team, coached by Pauline Hamill, are expected to play a pair of exhibitions during the June international window.
“For the last few years, we have played under many names — as refugees, as Afghan Women United and as guests of other clubs — but in our hearts, we were always the national team,” Australia-based player Nazia Ali said. “To hopefully be able to wear our flag again officially is a feeling I cannot describe.”
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