Afghan Women returned to international football for the first time in four years on Sunday, opening their campaign in a FIFA organised tournament with a 6 to 1 defeat to Chad in Morocco. For the players, taking the field meant far more than the final score.
The group represents Afghan women footballers forced to flee their homeland after the Taliban banned women’s sports in 2021. They now compete as a refugee team under FIFA approval, continuing a fight for visibility and the right to play.
Melbourne based forward Manozh Noori put Afghan Women United ahead from the penalty spot in Berrechid. Players celebrated wildly with staff and supporters. Chad responded quickly and claimed a comfortable win, but Afghan captain Fatima Haidari said the chance to compete again was already a triumph.
“That is all we wanted all these years after trying so hard to get what we truly deserve as a woman. Our right to play and to represent our country, she said before the match.”
“We are profoundly grateful that FIFA gave us this opportunity and this privilege to represent what women are capable of.”
The squad includes many of Afghanistan’s former internationals, who previously played under contract before fleeing to places such as Australia following the Taliban takeover.
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Their last international fixture was a 5 to 0 loss to Qatar in 2021. In May, FIFA approved the creation of the refugee team and appointed Pauline Hamill as head coach. After consultation with the governing body, the squad selected the name Afghan Women United to reflect their identity.
This weekend’s match was part of the four team FIFA Unites Women’s Series alongside Tunisia and Libya. The event had been scheduled for the United Arab Emirates. It was moved to Morocco last week after the team were denied entry to the Gulf nation.
Afghan Women United face Tunisia on Wednesday. They close the tournament against Libya on Saturday.
The players hope continued participation will help Afghan girls maintain hope despite restrictions at home. They plan to keep pushing for more matches and a future where they can once again represent Afghanistan on a recognised world stage.