FIFA Council approves rule change allowing Afghan women's national team to resume competitive play
Following a successful pilot program, the Afghan women's national team is cleared to play matches in New Zealand during the June international window.
The FIFA Council has approved a significant rule change that permits the Afghanistan women's national team to resume competitive play under direct FIFA sanction. This administrative shift bypasses the requirement for the Afghanistan Football Federation to sanction the squad, a barrier that had effectively blocked official participation since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
Under the previous statutes, national federations were required to sanction their respective teams. However, the Afghanistan Football Federation was unwilling to do so under the current regime, leaving the players in exile without an official pathway to international competition. The Council's decision now allows the governing body to handle the sanctioning directly, removing this institutional obstacle and enabling the team to immediately begin preparations to qualify for their first major international tournament.
Former captain Khalida Popal described the reinstatement as a historical moment achieved after a prolonged battle to ensure the team could compete officially. Speaking at the FIFA Congress, she noted that the push for this change gained momentum following the Paris Olympic Games, where Afghan athletes participated despite being in exile. This event prompted FIFA to engage directly with the players regarding security and safeguarding, leading to high-profile interest from leaders including President Gianni Infantino and Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis.
The reinstatement follows the successful operation of the 'Afghan Women United' pilot program last September. This initiative ran as a refugee team and successfully addressed FIFA's primary concerns regarding player safeguarding and security. Popal confirmed that the success of this pilot served as the necessary proof of concept for the recognition of the official national team, allowing the players to return to competitive football in a controlled environment.
Looking ahead, the team has matches scheduled in New Zealand during the June international window. While Popal expressed gratitude that the players are finally seen and respected by the global football community, she emphasised that her focus will now shift to ensuring FIFA leaders follow through on their promise to facilitate regular activity for the squad.
While the administrative hurdle has been cleared, the long-term sustainability of the team remains contingent on the continued upholding of specific safeguarding measures established during the pilot program. The path to qualifying for a major tournament is not yet guaranteed and will depend on future performance and logistical arrangements, but the door for official participation has been opened.
