Afghan Women’s Refugee Team to Make Tournament Debut in UAE
The Afghan Women’s Refugee Football Team is set to make its international debut in the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series, scheduled from October 23 to 29, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The four-team tournament, announced by FIFA, will feature the refugee team alongside the women’s national teams of UAE, Chad, and Libya, competing in a round-robin format. This marks the first time Afghan women footballers in exile will compete together on an international stage.
The initiative comes in response to the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports in Afghanistan, imposed after they regained power in 2021, which forced many female athletes to flee the country. Prior to the ban, Afghanistan had around 25 contracted women footballers, many of whom now live abroad, including in Australia and the UK.
Earlier this year, FIFA launched a pilot programme to assemble the refugee women’s team, holding talent identification camps in several countries. A 23-player squad has been selected to represent Afghan women in exile. The team is coached by former Scottish international Pauline Hamill, with support from Afghan football activists, including Khalida Popal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that ensuring women everywhere have access to football remains a key priority. He described the Dubai tournament as “a symbol of hope and progress for women all over the world.”
While the Afghan men’s national team continues to compete under its federation, the refugee women’s team does not currently hold official competitive status. Nevertheless, the Dubai series represents a significant breakthrough, offering displaced Afghan women footballers an opportunity to return to international competition under extraordinary circumstances.
