Afghan women's refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
An Afghanistan women’s refugee team has been granted eligibility for international soccer competitions, some five years after national team players fled their country’s Taliban rule.
The FIFA Council agreed on Tuesday to amend its regulations to recognize the refugee team, which plays under the name Afghan Women United.
While it is too late for the refugee team to try to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, it could participate in qualification for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The Afghan women's team last played in 2018.
The Taliban shut down all women's sports when it returned to power in 2021.
- Afghan women on way back to official international matches after FIFA rule change The Straits Times —
- Fifa says Afghan women’s team can play in tournaments without Taliban approval South China Morning Post —
- FIFA allows Afghan women's football team to compete ABC News —
- Afghanistan women can return to competition after eight-year hiatus BBC Sport —
- FIFA makes rarest exception to let Afghan women’s refugee team play as official national side without Taliban approval Times Of India —