Exiled Afghanistan girls set to qualify for Olympics

Afghan Women United played against Chad, Tunisia and Libya in Morocco in October and November 2025

Afghanistan women will become a “symbol of resilience” after Fifa approved their return to international competition, says former captain Khalida Popal.

Afghanistan have not played a competitive international since December 2018.

The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 triggered restrictions on women’s rights, including a ban on women’s sports which forced many players to seek asylum overseas.

Fifa’s governance regulations previously prevented it from officially recognising a team unless they were recognised by their member association, in this case the Afghanistan Football Federation.

However, the amendment - approved at a Fifa council meeting in Vancouver on Tuesday - means Fifa can approve the registration of a national or representative team “under exceptional circumstances” to ensure players are not prevented from playing international football due to “situations beyond their control”.

It means Afghanistan players will be able to represent their country in official matches with full recognition.

“Our team has always been known as an activist team,” Popal told Reuters.

“But this opportunity, with the right support from Fifa, will be the time for us to also show some skills and develop the youth talent in the diaspora.

Fifa’s decision builds on the formation of Afghan Women United, a refugee team sanctioned and supported by Fifa for a one-year pilot in May 2025 after several years of lobbying by the country’s displaced players.

Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, but they could compete in qualifying for the 2028 Olympics and are expected to return to action in June. 

There are more than 80 Afghanistan female footballers in Australia, Europe, USA and the Middle East.

Regional selection camps, hosted by Fifa, are taking place in England and Australia before a training camp in New Zealand in June. (BBC sport)