FIFA has granted approval for the formation of a football team comprised of Afghan women refugees, marking a historic step in global sports inclusion. Under the supervision of world football’s governing body, the team will be eligible to participate in international matches. According to FIFA, the team will consist of Afghan female players who have been officially recognized as refugees in various countries. Initially, the initiative will be launched as a one-year pilot project to assess its long-term feasibility and impact. The final decision regarding the team’s establishment will be made by the FIFA Council. FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the move as “a milestone,” stating that the organization is committed to giving every girl the opportunity to play football. Under normal FIFA regulations, national teams must be recognized by their respective football federations in order to compete. However, the Afghanistan Football Federation has refused to acknowledge its women’s teams and has instead imposed a blanket ban on all women’s sports across the country. Since 2018, no official Afghan women’s team has participated in any sanctioned match. This new initiative signals a major breakthrough for displaced Afghan women athletes, offering them a renewed platform to compete and represent their identity on the global stage.
A news by Alisha Pradhan, General Secretary, HerNet Foundation