Fifa has granted permission for Afghan Women United, a team of refugees scattered across Australia, the Middle East, and Europe, to represent Afghanistan in official competitions without requiring the approval of the Taliban. This significant regulation change, expected to be approved by the Fifa Council today, allows the women to compete as the official Afghanistan national team for the first time, against the wishes of the country's government.
Background of Afghan Women United
Formed after the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Afghan Women United emerged when the official women's national team, established in 2007, was banned. Most of its players sought asylum abroad. The team has since campaigned for over three years for Fifa to intervene and provide official recognition and financial support, which the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation denied due to its ban on women's sports.
Fifa's Three-Pillar Strategy
This decision is part of a broader Fifa strategy to support women and girls in Afghanistan. The strategy includes diplomatic efforts to advocate for women's right to participate in sport, providing playing opportunities, and organizing fixtures. Last year, Fifa launched the inaugural Fifa Unites: Women's Series in Morocco after the players were denied visas for the original location in the United Arab Emirates.
Player Perspectives
Captain Fatima Haidari, based in Italy, shared her experience: "When I step on to the pitch everything else is automatically erased from my mind. I train, I play, and a fire inside me is lit, not just because of the power that I feel at that moment as a player, but because I feel I have many other girls with me. It's like I'm taking their hands. Like I'm playing with them. It's not just for me, and I feel powerful."
This historic move ensures that Afghan women refugees can now compete under their national flag, receiving the recognition and support they have long sought.
