Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – FIFA has officially approved the formation of the Afghanistan Women’s Refugee Team (AWRT), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering Afghan female footballers who have sought refuge abroad due to the Taliban’s prohibition of women’s sports. This decision is part of FIFA’s broader “Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football,” which outlines a comprehensive plan to support Afghan women in football through the establishment of the AWRT, diplomatic engagement with the Taliban-led government, and enhanced support for Afghan female players living abroad.
The AWRT will initially operate under a one-year pilot phase, allowing FIFA to assess the program’s potential for long-term sustainability. FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the move as a “landmark initiative,” emphasizing the organization’s commitment to giving every girl the opportunity to play football.
This initiative comes in response to the Afghan Football Federation’s (AFF) ban on all women’s sports in the country, which has left Afghan female footballers without official recognition or support. The AFF has not acknowledged its women’s teams, and Afghanistan has not had a women’s side compete in an official match since 2018.
The formation of the AWRT is a significant step toward restoring and supporting the participation of Afghan women in international football amid ongoing restrictions in their home country. FIFA’s engagement directly with the relevant players and its commitment to organizing and facilitating the team’s operations as soon as possible demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing systemic gender discrimination in Afghan football.
This development also aligns with FIFA’s recent decision to expand the Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2031, reflecting the organization’s efforts to broaden representation and accelerate investment in women’s football worldwide.
The establishment of the AWRT offers a platform for Afghan women to continue their passion for football and serves as a symbol of resilience and hope for women’s rights in Afghanistan.
