Elaha Safdari was 17 and had just earned her first call-up as a keeper for the women’s football team of Afghanistan when she was forced to flee Kabul during the Taliban takeover in 2021.
Safdari received hair -raising instructions to burn her kit and trophies and erase her social media profile – everything that could link her to football.
«Because it can bring you to a high risk (with) the Taliban, because women in Afghanistan cannot play football,» Safdari told Reutersfighting tears.
Four years later, the sound of the laughter and the flop of footballs tucked away this week over a throw in St. George’s Park in West-Central England, while the World Football Administrative Body held an ID camp for an Afghan refugee team.
Elaha Safdari of the Afghan refugee team for women during a selection camp in St. George’s Park, Burton on Trent. | Photocredit: Reuters
Elaha Safdari of the Afghan refugee team for women during a selection camp in St. George’s Park, Burton on Trent. | Photocredit: Reuters
Safdari said that the week was «emotional, full of love and joy.»
The camp was an opportunity to make contact again with teammates who not only share a love for the game, but a history of heartache and resilience. It was also a resistance statement.
«We want to use football as a powerful platform to represent the girls in Afghanistan that we did not forget,» said defender Njma Arefi, who was 18 when she fled Kabul.
«A dog on the street has more rights than a woman in Afghanistan. It makes me so emotional to talk about (female friends and family still there), the fact that they have lost their dreams, they have lost everything. We want to show the world that even if you close your eyes, we are still being here. We are still going to speak about them. We are not afraid.»
Elaha Safdari of the Afghan women’s refugee team saves during a selection camp in St. George’s Park. | Photocredit: Reuters
Elaha Safdari of the Afghan women’s refugee team saves during a selection camp in St. George’s Park. | Photocredit: Reuters
The Global ID camp, the last of three led by coach Pauline Hamill, was part of FIFA’s efforts to build a team of 23 players for international friendly tournaments.
While FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the initiative a «important step in the right direction», Safdari said that Afghan women will not stop fighting for full international status.
«I was so close to my dream and the Taliban took my dream away,» said Safdari. «It is a wonderful step of FIFA that they (organize) these tournaments, but our goal is greater. We ask FIFA to be recognized and play on the international stage and represent our country in exile.»
Women’s sports
In contrast to the Afghanistan men’s team, which continues to play under the National Banner, the Afghan football federation controlled by Taliban has banned the sport of women.
While Safdari and Arefi found safety in Doncaster, England, their move was loaded with insulation and language barriers. Neither of them spoke English when they arrived.
«It was a tough journey,» said Safdari, who lives with brothers and sisters while her parents are still in Afghanistan.
«A refugee in England was not easy. I couldn’t speak the language, it was a new society, and I felt that I had no one to support me. But little by little football gave me the strength and strength to rebuild.»
Najma Arefi of the Afghan ladies’ refugee team extends during a selection camp in St. George’s Park. | Photocredit: Reuters
Najma Arefi of the Afghan ladies’ refugee team extends during a selection camp in St. George’s Park. | Photocredit: Reuters
Arefi, who hopes to be a human rights lawyer, said she had always found comfort in football.
«It was a way to feel free and to leave every battle we had in our lives,» added Arefi, who won a national championship with Herat City in 2021. «On the field there was passion, joy and freedom that kept us going.»
Safdari grabbed a keeper trophy and an Afghan shirt, inspects her parents to send to her.
«When I look at this sweater, I tell myself that I play for all the women and girls who had to remain silent,» she said.
«Every time I wear my boots on the field, I play the very simple human rights for all those women who can’t even walk.»
Head coach of the Afghan refugee team for women, Pauline Hamill, poses for a photo. | Photocredit: Reuters
Head coach of the Afghan refugee team for women, Pauline Hamill, poses for a photo. | Photocredit: Reuters
Hamill said that the chance to coach the team had her squeeze.
«When the chance to really make a difference comes, I think you should grab it with both hands,» said the former Scotland International.
«Thinking of what the players have experienced, really simply connects you with them, where you really want to support them and are part of giving a great experience in football. They live on the field, it’s their happy place, they can do something they love.»
Published on August 30, 2025
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