Afghan Women's Refugee Team Cleared to Play in FIFA Tournaments

FIFA has granted eligibility to an Afghanistan women's refugee team to compete in international tournaments, the governing body announced after the FIFA Council agreed to amend its regulations during a meeting in Vancouver.

The team, which plays under the name Afghan Women United, was formed after national team players fled Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. The Taliban has since shut down all women's sports in the country.

While the refugee team has missed the qualification window for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, it could still participate in qualifying for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. "With this initiative we aim to enable them, as well as other FIFA member associations that may not be able to register a national or representative team for a FIFA competition, to make the next step."

The decision follows years of advocacy by players, former captain Khalida Popal, and human rights organizations. Last October, the refugee team played in a tournament in Morocco against Chad, Libya, and Tunisia, the first step toward formal recognition.

"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. "I am extremely proud of this decision by FIFA."

More than 80 Afghan refugee players are currently based in Australia, the United States, and Europe. The team, coached by Pauline Hamill, is expected to play two exhibition matches during the June international window.

Human Rights Watch praised the decision. "FIFA has finally done the right thing by closing the loophole that allowed the Taliban's discriminatory policies to be enforced on the global stage," said Minky Worden, director of global initiatives for the organization.