When the world’s eyes turn to the stadium lights of the Qatar World Cup, few voices rise above the roar of the crowd. One of those voices belongs to Khalida Popal, the former captain of Afghanistan’s women’s national team, who now calls Mexico City home after fleeing the Taliban’s return in 2021.
A Voice from the Pitch
Popal’s journey from the football fields of Kabul to the bustling streets of Mexico City is marked by resilience. After the Taliban seized power, she sought refuge in a country where she could continue to champion women’s football while also addressing the broader needs of displaced communities.
In collaboration with local NGOs, she runs football clinics for refugee children and other marginalized groups, using the sport as a conduit for empowerment. Her organization, Girl Power, aims to safeguard the authenticity of the game and bring it to shelters and grassroots neighborhoods, ensuring that the pitch remains a space for hope and inclusion.
Football as Activism
For Popal, the separation of sport and social issues is a false dichotomy. She argues that visible female leaders on the field inspire girls to see themselves as belonging in football, and that the very act of playing becomes a form of activism when it challenges entrenched gender norms.
Mexico’s own progress in women’s football provides a tangible backdrop for her message. The growth of Liga MX Femenil and the historic appointment of Katia Garcia as the first Mexican female referee to officiate a men’s World Cup match illustrate how the region is reshaping perceptions of gender in sport.
Beyond Commercialization
Popal warns that the commercialization of football risks eclipsing the activist foundation that has sustained the sport for many marginalized communities. She cautions that when sponsorship and spectacle dominate, the essential work of protecting vulnerable girls and refugees can be pushed to the sidelines.
Her partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees underscores a commitment to institutional support, leveraging the UNHCR’s resources to amplify Girl Power’s reach while maintaining a grassroots ethos.
A Call for Sustainable Legacy
In Mexico, she highlights stark realities: gender‑based violence and femicide remain pervasive, and last year more than 70,000 people sought asylum, the majority being women and children. Popal argues that without sustained opportunities and long‑term support, cycles of exclusion and violence will persist, undermining any short‑term gains made on the field.
Her ultimate vision is one where the World Cup’s global platform translates into enduring investment in education, safety, and economic empowerment for displaced communities. By weaving together sport, advocacy, and humanitarian aid, Popal seeks to ensure that the tournament’s legacy is measured not only in goals scored but in lives transformed.