Afghanistan’s women’s refugee team has been granted the right to compete in international competitions, nearly five years after the national team’s players fled their country from Taliban rule.
The FIFA Council met in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday and agreed to amend regulations to allow a refugee team to play under the name Afghanistan Women’s United.
It is too late for the refugee team to aim for a place in the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, but they could still be part of a bid to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement: “We are proud of the beautiful journey that Afghanistan Women’s United has embarked on. With this initiative, we aim to ensure that not only Afghanistan Women’s United, but also other FIFA member associations who may not be able to register their national teams or national teams in FIFA competitions, can take the next step in collaboration with their relevant federations.”
first moves towards recognition Last October, Afghan refugees competed in Morocco in a tournament involving Chad, Libya and Tunisia. This event comes after years of lobbying by players on behalf of their teams. Former sea captain and activist Khalida Popal and human rights organizations.
“For five years, the Afghanistan women’s national team has been told they can never compete again because the men who stole our country won’t allow it,” Popal said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of this decision by FIFA and am pleased that our collective support has not only changed the future of Afghan women, but also ensured that other national teams do not have to sacrifice the actions of our players.”
More than 80 Afghan refugee athletes are scattered across Australia, America and Europe. Two camps were recently held in England and Australia for women.
The team, coached by Pauline Hamill, is expected to play two exhibition games during the upcoming June international break, with opponents yet to be determined.
“Over the past few years we have played under different names: as refugees, as Afghanistan Women United and as guests of other clubs, but in our hearts we have always been the national team,” said Australia-based player Nazia Ali. “It is an indescribable feeling to be hopeful that we can officially wear our flag again.”
The Afghanistan women’s team played its last official match in 2018. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they shut down all women’s sports. The players fled Afghanistan fearing persecution.
Even before the team’s demise, the Afghanistan Football Federation was under investigation for misconduct involving its women’s program, including allegations of rape and physical abuse. Kelamuddin Kellam Federation Chairman, Permanently banned from FIFA.
Discrimination is not allowed under FIFA rules, but the Afghan federation does not recognize women’s teams, yet they have not been suspended from international soccer.
“FIFA has finally done the right thing by closing the loophole that allowed the Taliban to enforce their discriminatory policies on the world stage,” said Minky Warden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch. “FIFA’s actions should serve as a model for how international sporting bodies should respond when athletes are systematically excluded because of their gender, ethnicity or beliefs.”
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