FIFA Approves Plan to Form Afghan Women's Refugee Team

May 11, 2025 - 15:34
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FIFA Approves Plan to Form Afghan Women's Refugee Team
Photo: UNHCR/Heidi Wentworth-Ping

While the Taliban continues to deprive Afghan women and girls of access to sports and other basic rights, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has approved a groundbreaking plan to form a football team for Afghan women refugees.

On Friday, May 10, FIFA announced in a press release that its Executive Council had approved the strategy to establish the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team (AWRT). This decision allows the team to participate in friendly matches under FIFA’s supervision.

According to FIFA, the team will initially operate on a one-year trial basis. The aim of this period is to assess the long-term viability of the project and explore the possibility of expanding it to include refugee teams from other countries. If given final approval, the team will be eligible to compete in official friendly matches and international tournaments.

The Afghan women’s national football team has not participated in any official competitions since 2018. Under the Taliban-led Afghanistan Football Federation, no women's teams are recognized. Currently, the players are scattered across countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Albania, and Portugal.

FIFA stated that it is “in direct contact with stakeholders” and is working to provide the necessary structure and facilities to launch the team’s activities as soon as possible.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the initiative as “historic,” saying, “FIFA is committed to giving every girl in the world the chance to play football.”

In a broader move to promote women’s football, FIFA has also announced that the Women’s World Cup will expand to 48 teams starting in 2031. Previously contested by 32 teams, the tournament will now be organized into 12 groups and feature 104 matches—an increase from the current 64. The competition will also be extended by one week.

FIFA said these changes are part of a strategy to grow women’s football globally, accelerate investment in the sport, and increase international participation.