25 Feb 2026 - 17:45
DW
The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Deutsche Welle (DW) has reported that Afghanistan’s women footballers, many of whom are living in exile, are still waiting for regular international fixtures months after being reintroduced to the global stage.
According to DW, the players watched the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia with frustration, as Afghanistan had no women’s national team following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Although the team has since taken steps toward international recognition, significant obstacles remain.
Defender Mursal Sadat told DW that watching the 2023 tournament was emotional, recalling the time she represented her country before 2021. She expressed hope that Afghanistan could compete in future qualifiers.
Goalkeeper Elaha Safdari described a recent match in Morocco as an important milestone but said the team remains eager for more international opportunities. She added that players continue to train and prepare while awaiting further fixtures.
FIFA announced that Afghanistan will face two unnamed opponents during the June international window, with additional details expected in the coming months. Europe-based players recently attended a training camp in Doncaster, England, while Australia-based players are expected to hold a similar camp later this year.
DW reported that qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil will be determined through the Women’s Asian Cup, set to begin March 1 in Australia. However, given Afghanistan’s four-year absence from international competition, participation in the next World Cup was widely seen as unlikely.
The report also highlighted controversy surrounding the United Arab Emirates, which had agreed to host Afghanistan for a match in October but later declined to grant visas to the players, forcing a last-minute relocation to Morocco. FIFA has not publicly clarified the reasons behind the decision.
Australian human rights lawyer Alison Battisson, who has supported the players in exile, told DW that the visa issue was “extraordinary,” suggesting broader political considerations may have influenced the decision.
DW further noted that FIFA later announced the launch of a new annual world football awards event in Dubai, raising questions among observers about the governing body’s relationship with the UAE.
Despite the challenges, Sadat told DW that rebuilding and gaining recognition for the Afghan women’s national team in exile represents a stand against Taliban policies. She said many Afghans see the team’s continued existence as a symbol of resistance and a platform to challenge gender-based restrictions.
