Afghan women footballers have celebrated a landmark decision by FIFA that will allow them to compete in official international matches, marking what former captain Khalida Popal described as a 'historical moment.' The amendment, passed this week, enables Afghanistan's women's team to be officially recognized without the approval of the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation.
FIFA's Landmark Decision
The rule change means Afghanistan will now be eligible to qualify for major tournaments such as the Women's World Cup and the Olympics. Popal, speaking from Copenhagen, expressed her joy: 'I woke up this morning imagining a young Afghan girl opening her eyes and saying, I have got the right to play. This is a basic human right.' She added that the news was 'fantastic' and a 'historical moment we are trying to absorb.'
Background of the Team
The Afghanistan Women's National Team was founded by Popal and other players in 2007 in Kabul. After the Taliban retook power in 2021, approximately 100 players and their families were evacuated to Melbourne, Australia, with other team members relocating to Europe, Britain, and the United States. Since then, women in Afghanistan have been banned from participating in sport, and the Taliban have shut down clandestine exercise groups.
Road to Recognition
A team of Afghan refugee players was formed between Europe and Australia, playing their first international matches at the FIFA Unites: Women's Series last year in Morocco. However, they could not compete in official competitions because FIFA rules previously required the approval of the Taliban-controlled federation. This week's FIFA amendment allows the official recognition of the Afghanistan team through an agreement between FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation. The rule will also apply to other teams in exceptional circumstances that may be unable to register a national team.
Popal emphasized the long struggle: 'It has been a long fight but we are so grateful this history is made not only for the women of Afghanistan. No team, if they face a situation like us, will suffer what we have sacrificed and suffered.'
Future Plans
Afghanistan's women footballers now aim to build an internationally competitive team drawing from players scattered across the globe. Popal stated, 'This announcement will allow us to find the talent within the diaspora.' The next step involves trials for players, ahead of a possible match in June. While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup, they will be able to try for future editions.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised the decision: 'This is a powerful and unprecedented step in world sport. FIFA has listened to these players as part of its responsibility to protect the right of every girl and woman to play football and to represent who they are.'
