A historic green light for Afghan women's football
Soccer's world governing body FIFA has extended eligibility to the Afghan women's national team, allowing them to compete on the international stage for the first time since the Taliban's 2021 takeover forced the squad into secrecy.
Key figures such as Fatima Yousufi and Mona Amini escaped Afghanistan and settled in Australia, where they continue to train while remaining connected to a broader group of teammates scattered across Europe and the United States.
Training in New Zealand and building a global platform
Twenty‑three members of the Afghan Women United program are currently housed in a training camp in Auckland, New Zealand, where they benefit from a safe environment and access to elite coaching under the guidance of veteran mentor Pauline Hamill.
Hamill, who previously served as an assistant coach for the team, now organizes talent identification camps and coordinates match preparations, ensuring that the players maintain both technical sharpness and a unified purpose.
The team's recent participation in the 'Unite' tournament seven months ago culminated in a victory over Libya, marking a symbolic milestone after their last official competitive match in 2018.
Beyond the pitch, the players emphasize the importance of education and sport for women in Afghanistan, using their platform to amplify calls for freedom and rights that remain suppressed at home.
With a diaspora that stretches from the Cook Islands to North America, the squad hopes to inspire future generations and to bring international attention to the plight of Afghan women, while continuing to train and compete under the banner of Afghan Women United.