Afghanistan’s Women’s National Team Finds FIFA Recognition Amid Exile

The Afghanistan women’s national football team held training sessions on the pitches of Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, engaging in the sport that is strictly prohibited within their homeland. Since April of this year, these athletes have officially been permitted to play as a national squad following a pivotal regulatory change by FIFA, the sport’s global governing body.

This decision enables Afghan women to once again represent their nation in official international matches and FIFA competitions, marking a significant victory for advocates who have fought since the Taliban seized power in 2021. Khalida Popal, the former team captain and founder of the “Girl Power” initiative, described the moment as historic.

“This was a huge victory for us, a wonderful moment, and one of the moments we’re most proud of. Because once again, the women of our country have made history and brought about change,” Popal told Deutsche Welle.

Midfielder Maryam Karimi, who fled Afghanistan and has been residing in Portugal, expressed deep pride in the team’s new status. For Karimi, the FIFA approval carries weight beyond bureaucratic formalities, as she harbors the hope that the squad will eventually be able to play matches on Afghan soil.

However, the team currently faces the unique challenge of being a national side without a home. Popal noted that they are likely among the first national teams in history to compete entirely from exile, representing their country while having nowhere to play domestically.

The players are dispersed globally, traveling from nations including England, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Australia to train together. Despite the logistical difficulties of assembling regularly, Karimi emphasized the strong unity among the squad members.

“We come from different countries and can’t play together regularly. But when I see the players, they’re incredibly united. They keep going and push each other forward,” she said.

While FIFA has granted recognition, the Afghan Football Federation has not followed suit. Consequently, there is no domestic infrastructure to nurture young female talent, nor is there funding or support from within the country. Under the current Taliban regime, women are forbidden from participating in sports, leaving no pathway for the development of future players.

To organize camps such as the summer 2026 session held in Wolfsburg, the team relies on external support, including an invitation from Volkswagen and the local club. Popal aims to ensure the team is defined by its athletic achievements rather than solely by the restrictions placed upon them.

“The first goal, of course, is to build a strong team that performs well on the field,” Popal stated. “Because the better we play, the better we can represent our country, and the more visible we’ll become.”