The New York Times reports that members of Afghanistan’s former national women’s football team, now living in exile in Australia, are pushing FIFA to officially recognize their team.
After fleeing the country following the Taliban’s return in 2021, these players—now based in Melbourne and elsewhere—are determined to return to international competition. However, FIFA has not yet granted them official team status, citing a lack of political and legal grounds.
The article highlights the personal journeys of several players:
Fatema Foulaadi, once a rising football star, now studies aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan, continuing her dream of both education and football.
Nilab Mohammadi, former team captain, now plays for Melbourne Victory and is advocating for Afghan women’s voices in global sports.
FIFA’s delay stems from the fact that Afghanistan’s official football federation is under Taliban control and does not support women’s sports. As a result, Afghan women’s teams are barred from official competitions, including the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
Despite a 2025 FIFA statement supporting “the well-being of Afghan women and girls,” no concrete steps have been taken to recognize the team.
Prominent activist and former player Khalida Popal, now in Denmark, told the Times that football is not just a sport for Afghan women—it is “a symbol of strength, resistance, and identity.”
Players continue to campaign globally, sign petitions, and use football as a platform for advocacy, determined not to let their voices—or their team—disappear.
