FIFA Restores Afghan Women’s Football Participation

The FIFA Council has approved an important change to its Governance Regulations that will allow Afghan women footballers to play in official international matches again.

The Afghanistan women’s national football team has not played a competitive match since 2021, when the Taliban returned to power and women’s sports activities were heavily restricted in the country.

FIFA said the new decision is meant to ensure that players are not excluded from the game due to situations beyond their control. The move follows FIFA’s principles of inclusion, equality, and non-discrimination.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the decision as a major and historic step for women’s football. He said Afghan female players, including those in the FIFA-supported “Afghan Women United” squad, will now be able to represent their country in official matches, working in coordination with the Asian Football Confederation.

As part of the plan, the Afghan Women United team will hold its next training camp in New Zealand from June 1 to June 9. This will help players prepare for future international competition.

The amendment comes into effect immediately. FIFA has also confirmed that it will provide financial, technical, and logistical support to help ensure a safe and stable pathway for the team’s return to international football.

In addition, support packages for Afghan women players will continue for up to two years during this transition period.

The decision is being seen as a major step forward for Afghan women athletes and a positive move for the future of women’s football globally.