FIFA Approves Afghan Women Footballers’ Participation in International Matches
Tawazon – FIFA has approved a rule change allowing Afghan women footballers to play official international matches in FIFA competitions.
According to Reuters, the rule change builds on FIFA’s Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football, endorsed by the FIFA Council in May last year.
The decision follows the creation of Afghan Women United team, a FIFA-supported team providing structured playing opportunities for Afghan women footballers living outside the country.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he is proud of the progress of Afghan Women United and added that this initiative aims to support players and member associations that cannot register a national or representative team in FIFA competitions.
“We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United, and with this initiative, we aim to enable them, as well as other FIFA member associations that may not be able to register a national or representative team for a FIFA competition, to make the next step, in coordination with the relevant confederation,” he said.
Supporters of women’s football have repeatedly called on FIFA to officially recognize and support Afghan women players in exile. They say that restrictions inside Afghanistan should not take away their right to pursue an international career.
Afghan Women United are expected to play their next matches during the June women’s international window,with details of opponents and venues to be announced.
According to Reuters, Afghanistan’s women’s national team has not played an official competitive international since before the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
The Taliban authorities have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including restrictions affecting education, work and sport, forcing many female athletes to flee the country or abandon competition.