Afghanistan Women’s Football Team Return to FIFA Stage as Symbol of Resilience After Years of Exile

Posted : 29 April 2026

The Afghanistan women’s national football team is set to return to international competition after FIFA approved a landmark decision allowing them to compete under exceptional circumstances. The move has been widely welcomed by former captain Khalida Popal, who described the team as a “symbol of resilience” following years of exile and uncertainty.

Afghanistan’s women last played a competitive international match in December 2018. Their footballing journey was abruptly disrupted in 2021 when the Taliban regained control of the country and imposed strict restrictions on women’s rights, including a ban on women’s sports. As a result, many members of the national team were forced to flee the country and rebuild their lives in exile across Europe, Australia, the United States, and the Middle East.

The recent FIFA Council decision, approved in Vancouver, introduces an amendment allowing the governing body to recognise national or representative teams under exceptional circumstances. This change ensures that players are not prevented from competing due to situations beyond their control, effectively paving the way for Afghanistan’s women’s team to return to official international football with full recognition.

The decision builds on the creation of Afghan Women United, a refugee-based squad supported by FIFA as part of a pilot project launched in 2025 after years of advocacy from displaced Afghan players. The initiative has provided a structured platform for athletes who were previously left without access to international competition.

Khalida Popal, speaking to Reuters, said the team has always carried an activist identity but now has an opportunity to combine advocacy with performance on the pitch. She emphasised that the return would not only allow players to showcase their abilities but also help develop young Afghan talent living in the diaspora. At the same time, she acknowledged the continued difficulties faced by women still living inside Afghanistan, stressing the importance of representing their voices on the global stage.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the initiative, highlighting it as part of a broader effort to support players who cannot represent their national associations under normal conditions. He described the programme as an opportunity to give affected athletes a pathway back into international football and to expand participation across member associations facing exceptional challenges.

More than 80 Afghan female footballers are currently spread across countries including Australia, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Many were previously part of the national setup before the Taliban takeover. FIFA has organised regional selection camps in England and Australia, followed by a training camp scheduled in New Zealand, as preparations intensify ahead of their return to competitive action.

The team is expected to resume international fixtures in June and will take part in further development competitions. However, they will not be eligible for qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup cycle. Instead, they could feature in future qualification pathways, including the 2028 Olympic Games.

In 2025, Afghan Women United participated in the FIFA United Women’s Series, playing three matches and securing a historic victory over Libya in November—marking their first win in an international setting under the new structure.

As Afghanistan’s women prepare for their official return, their journey stands as one of the most powerful stories in modern football—defined not only by sport, but by survival, identity, and determination to be heard on the world stage once again.

Afghanistan Women’s Football Team Return to FIFA Stage as Symbol of Resilience After Years of Exile

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