Afghanistan Women's Team Celebrates Historic Reinstatement at FIFA Congress
Khalida Popal, the former captain of the Afghanistan women's national team, hailed the team's reinstatement as a "historical moment" during the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia. After a prolonged struggle, the team can now participate in official competitions following their exile since August 2021, when the Taliban regained power after the U.S. withdrawal. Previously, FIFA rules mandated national federations to sanction teams, a requirement the Afghanistan Football Federation was unwilling to meet. However, a recent decision by the FIFA Council allowed FIFA to take over the sanctioning process, enabling the national team to resume play and pursue qualification for their first major competition. Popal expressed her emotions, stating, "A historical moment... Something to be proud of. Something that we have waited for such a long time. Long journey, long fight, long battle, but we have achieved..." The players had been advocating for a rule change since their exile, gaining momentum after the International Olympic Committee facilitated Afghan athletes' participation in the Paris Games. Popal noted, "It started after the Paris Olympics... FIFA started also having conversations with us." Key FIFA leaders, including Gianni Infantino and Jill Ellis, took a keen interest in the players' safety concerns, leading to the creation of Afghan Women United. This initiative allowed for a pilot program, enabling the players to return to the pitch. Popal confirmed that matches are scheduled in New Zealand during the June international window and stressed the need for FIFA's commitment to regular activity for the team. Reflecting on their journey, she stated, "The Afghanistan women's footballers suffer a lot... We took a fight. We took all the risks because we wanted to be the voice for our sisters... I'm so grateful that finally our players are feeling seen and heard and respected by the global football community."
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-01