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FIFA Lets Exiled Afghan Women Represent Afghanistan in Official Competitions

The decision restores an official route for Afghan women in exile to play for their country despite the Taliban’s ban on women’s sport.

Soccer Football - Elaha Safdari of the Afghan Women's Refugee team makes a save during a selection camp at St. George's Park, Burton upon Trent, Britain - August 26, 2025 REUTERS/John Sibley/File Photo
Soccer Football - 36th AFC Annual Congress - Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, Canada - April 28, 2026 Khalida Popal, founder of the Afghanistan women's national soccer team, poses during the congress REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

Overview

  • FIFA’s council approved the rule change on Tuesday in Vancouver, allowing the refugee squad Afghan Women United to compete as Afghanistan in FIFA tournaments without sign-off from the Taliban-run federation.
  • Under prior rules, only the Afghanistan Football Federation could enter a team, which blocked women because the Taliban bans women’s sport.
  • FIFA says selection camps are running in England and Australia, and nearly 90 players are getting support packages.
  • The team brings together Afghan refugees based across Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, and FIFA expects matches in the June international window with opponents and venues still to come.
  • FIFA says the new pathway could help other member associations facing similar barriers, building on its 2021 evacuations of more than 160 at-risk Afghan athletes and officials.