Key Takeaways
- FIFA council members voted in Vancouver to approve new rules allowing the Afghanistan women’s team to register without support from their national federation.
- The squad has not played a competitive international since December 2018 due to the Taliban ban on women’s sports.
- Regional selection camps are underway in England and Australia, with the team expected to return to official matches in June.
FIFA has cleared the path for the Afghanistan women’s national team to resume international football after a forced absence of nearly seven years. The decision follows a historic amendment to the world governing body’s statutes.
Former captain Khalida Popal has hailed the squad as a “symbol of resilience”. The team last featured in a competitive fixture back in December 2018.
The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 triggered strict limits on women’s freedoms, including a total prohibition on female participation in sport. This policy forced dozens of players to escape the country and seek safety in Australia, Europe, the United States and the Middle East.
Previous FIFA statutes blocked official recognition unless the team’s own member association approved the registration. In this case, the Afghanistan Football Federation remained unwilling or unable to support the women’s programme.
However, council members approved a change in Vancouver on Tuesday. The new regulation permits FIFA to register national sides “under exceptional circumstances” when players face barriers “beyond their control”. Afghan footballers can now represent their country with full international status.
“Our team has always served as activists,” Popal explained to Reuters. “But with proper backing from FIFA, we can now display our skills and nurture young talent within the diaspora.”
She admitted that women still living inside Afghanistan will struggle to join the setup. Despite this, she promised the team would continue to act as a voice for those left behind and send messages of hope.
The move builds upon the formation of Afghan Women United. FIFA sanctioned this refugee side for a one-year pilot project starting in May 2025 following extensive lobbying from displaced players.
The team cannot qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but they may compete for a place at the 2028 Olympic Games. Action is set to resume in June.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the “beautiful journey” started by Afghan Women United. He noted the initiative would assist other member associations unable to register national teams through standard channels.
Over 80 Afghan female footballers currently reside outside their homeland. This group includes many of the 25 professionals who held contracts before the regime change.
Selection camps are running in England and Australia ahead of a training block in New Zealand next month. Afghan Women United have already played three fixtures in 2025 during the FIFA United Women’s Series, securing their maiden win against Libya in November.