Scattered around the world after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s exiled female footballers dare to dream of unity on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.
Global governing body FIFA on Wednesday approved a rule change that will allow them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living outside their home countries.
Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, who now lives in Melbourne with many exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard the news.
«One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy – because in our hearts we never stopped representing Afghanistan,» the 24-year-old said Reuters during a video call.
«And now the world is finally recognizing that. But at the same time… many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is for them too.»
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Before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan had 25 female players under contract, most of whom now live in Australia.
Afghan Women United are currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA organizing regional selection camps in England and Australia.
Although Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year, the country can still participate in the qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“If you think about all those (opportunities) that come along, (those) events will be the best thing that can happen for the team,” said Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC during his studies.
“So hopefully we’ll achieve that.”
HARRY EXIT
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sports have effectively disappeared in Afghanistan, while women’s access to education and employment has been severely curtailed.
Like several of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.
Carrying only a backpack, a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with the help of the Australian government.
She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.
«Even our identity, we had to remove everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to just be safe during that time,» she said.
“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it out alive and we made it here and today we’re playing.”
Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and all her siblings in Melbourne.
Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a big adjustment, but the football goals remain the same.
“In Afghanistan, I dreamed of seeing the Afghan team in the World Cup,” she said.
“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the best thing that can happen for Afghan women’s football.”
Published on April 30, 2026
