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Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
- On Tuesday, the FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver approved a rule change allowing Afghan Women United to compete in official international matches, providing exiled players a path back to football.
- Forced to flee following the Taliban's 2021 return to power, which banned women's sports in Afghanistan, many athletes abandoned competition; FIFA previously helped evacuate more than 160 at-risk players and defenders.
- Regional selection camps in England and Australia are underway, with support packages provided to nearly 90 players; coach Pauline Hamill prepares the squad for exhibition matches during June's international window.
- The initiative aims to enable participation for associations unable to register national teams, with President Gianni Infantino stating, "We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United."
- While the refugee team cannot qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, it remains eligible for qualification regarding the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, marking a significant pathway forward.
41 Articles
41 Articles
The new amendment, in coordination with the AFC, opens the door for Afghan Women United players to represent Afghanistan in international tournaments
Without international matches since the Taliban returned to power, Afghan refugee players will now be able to wear the colours of their country.
FIFA has approved an amendment to the regulation allowing Afghan footballers to participate in official international matches in FIFA competitions, providing exiled players from the return of the Taliban to power with a way to return to international football, Reuters reports.
FIFA is changing the statutes. It is opening the way for a comeback of the Afghan footballers. After eight years they return to the stage of world football. Not only FIFA President Gianni Infantino is enthusiastic.
FIFA has approved a change in its regulations that will allow for the return of Afghan players to international competitions, even without the recognition of the country's national federation. The decision was made on Tuesday, at a meeting of the entity's board in Vancouver, Canada, and paves the way for athletes, many of them refugees abroad since 2021, to re-represent Afghanistan officially.
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