After years of living in the shadows, the Afghan women's soccer team has found a new stage.
The squad, once forced into hiding by the Taliban's 2021 ban on women's sport, now trains on fields in Australia and New Zealand, preparing to represent their homeland on the world stage.
Eligibility and opportunity
In April, FIFA granted the team official eligibility for international competition, opening the door to qualifiers, friendlies and tournaments that were previously out of reach.
Their first competitive test came in the “Unite” tournament, where a win over Libya seven months ago proved that the side could compete, not just exist.
The team's last official match dates back to 2018, a gap that feels like a lifetime as they gear up for fresh challenges.
Training in the Pacific
Twenty‑three members of the Afghan Women United program are currently based in a camp in Auckland, New Zealand, where they work with coaches from both continents.
Captain Fatima Yousufi and midfielder Mona Amini have spoken openly about the difficulties they faced in Afghanistan, from family pressure to societal stigma, and how those obstacles only sharpened their resolve.
Beyond personal triumph, the players view themselves as role models for women and girls still living under restrictive rules, hoping their visibility can spark change.
From hidden streets to stadium lights in Wellington, the Afghan women's team is rewriting a narrative that once seemed impossible, aiming to bring a voice to those still silenced at home.