Afghan women return to international stage in FIFA tournament

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Soccer Football - Members of the Afghan Womens Refugee team pose for a team group during a selection camp at St. Georges Park, Burton upon Trent, Britain - August 26, 2025 REUTERS/John Sibley/File Photo

An Afghan womens refugee team lost 6-1 to Chad in a FIFA-organized tournament in Morocco on Sunday but for the players the match itself represented a victory after being denied the chance to play the sport they love back home.

Womens sport has been banned in Afghanistan since the Taliban government took over in 2021, prompting players to flee the country fearing persecution.

Prior to the Talibans takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under contract, most of whom now live in Australia.

The womens national team last played an international match in 2021, losing 5-0 to Qatar, but in May world soccers governing body approved the creation of an Afghan womens refugee team, with Pauline Hamill named as coach.

The team chose Afghan Women United as their official name following consultations with FIFA ahead of their loss to Chad, their first match of the four-team FIFA Unites: Womens Series tournament, which also features Tunisia and Libya.

Thats all we wanted all these years after trying so hard to get what we truly deserve as a woman. Our right to play and to represent our country, captain Fatima Haidari said in the lead-up to the match.

We are profoundly grateful that FIFA gave us this opportunity and this privilege to represent what women