Vancouver, Canada, April 30, 2026: The FIFA Council on Wednesday, April 29, has allowed Afghanistan’s women’s football team to represent the country in international competitions.
The team, formed by women refugee players from Afghanistan, can represent the country without the approval of the ruling Taliban.
FIFA in a statement said the “landmark governance decision” paves the way for Afghan female football players to compete as the official national Afghanistan team in FIFA competitions, with coordination with the AFC.
“This is a powerful and unprecedented step in world sport. FIFA has listened to these players as part of its responsibility to protect the right of every girl and women to play football and to represent who they are,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“By enabling Afghan women to compete for their country in official matches, we are turning principle into action. FIFA is proud to lead this historic initiative and to stand alongside these courageous players on and off the pitch,” Infantino added.
This reform builds on the FIFA Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football, and follows the creation of Afghan Women United as a FIFA-supported team.
“This decision recognises Afghan women footballers not as victims of circumstances, but as elite players with the right to compete, be seen and respected,” said Nadia Nadim, who was born in Afghanistan, and went on to win 100 caps for Denmark.