In a bold and compassionate move, the FIFA Council has approved the Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football, which includes the immediate creation of the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team (AWRT).
The initiative is aimed at safeguarding the rights of Afghan female footballers who were displaced following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 a regime that banned women from playing sports and dismantled the country’s women’s national team.
Under FIFA’s direct oversight, the AWRT will provide a competitive platform for Afghan women now living in exile, enabling them to participate in international friendlies and qualifying tournaments under the FIFA banner. This unprecedented step ensures that displaced Afghan athletes can continue their football careers while advocating for gender equality and empowerment on the global stage.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the initiative’s wider significance:
“FIFA is committed to giving every girl the opportunity to play football. This initiative stands as a powerful symbol of inclusion and hope for those who have faced unimaginable challenges.”
The AWRT will receive full administrative, technical, and logistical support from FIFA, including coaching staff, training facilities, and participation funding. Coordination is already underway with host nations where many of these athletes have resettled such as Australia, Germany, and Canada ensuring they can assemble safely and compete as a unified team.
FIFA’s move comes after sustained calls from human rights organizations, sports advocacy groups, and former Afghan players for urgent action to protect and empower women athletes in exile. The AWRT is expected to commence activities in time for the 2026 Women’s Olympic qualifying cycle, making it a symbol of resistance, resilience, and reform in global sports.
