Writer:Salima Aryaei
The International Football Federation (FIFA) has approved changes to its regulations, enabling Afghan female football players to return to international competition. According to this decision, Afghan female players living abroad can now participate in FIFA-sanctioned competitions.
Since the Taliban regained power, Afghanistan’s national women’s football team has not participated in any official international competitions. This regulatory change may pave the way for Afghan players to return to the global stage.
These changes are part of FIFA’s “Action Plan for Afghan Women’s Football,” which was approved by the FIFA Council last May. This initiative follows the formation of the “Afghan Women’s United” team, a project supported by FIFA to create regular playing opportunities for Afghan female footballers living abroad.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the organization is pleased with the progress initiated by the formation of “Afghan Women United.” He explained that the aim of this initiative is to provide more opportunities for Afghan players and other federations that, for various reasons, cannot field national teams or representatives in FIFA competitions.
FIFA has also announced that the process of selecting the new roster for “Afghan Women United” has begun. As part of this program, regional selection camps will be held in the UK and Australia, and nearly 90 players have received support packages.
It is expected that the team will play in the international women’s football window in June. FIFA has stated that details about the opponents and the venue will be announced at a later date.
According to FIFA, this initiative is a response to the widespread restrictions placed on women and girls in Afghanistan in areas like education, work, and sports. These restrictions have led many Afghan female athletes to leave the country or abandon their professional careers.
In recent years, advocates for women’s football have repeatedly called on FIFA to recognize Afghan players in exile and support their continued professional development, so that internal restrictions do not impede their sporting future.
FIFA has also stated that in 2021, it helped evacuate over 160 players, sports officials, and human rights activists related to football and basketball from Afghanistan. The organization believes that these new regulations could provide practical solutions for other federations that are unable to register teams due to internal challenges.
