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Afghan Women’s Refugee Team

Afghan Women’s Refugee Team Gets FIFA Approval, When Will They Play 1st Match?

Sportsdunia Desk

Published - Apr 29, 2026, 07:24 AM

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Afghan Women’s Refugee Team Gets FIFA Approval, When Will They Play 1st Match?

Summary

World football's apex body, FIFA, has officially recognized the Afghan Women's Refugee Team, five years after the players fled their home nation.
The decision was made during the FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday, 28th April, 2026, in a landmark moment.
Afghan Women's Refugee Team, coached by Pauline Hamill, is expected to play a pair of exhibitions during the upcoming June international window.

A landmark moment for Afghanistan women's football as world football's apex body, FIFA, has officially recognized the Afghan Women's Refugee Team ahead of the upcoming June international window. The decision was made on Tuesday, 28th April, 2026, during the FIFA Council meeting, which took place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

A huge development for Afghan Women's players, who have seen their lives change since they fled the Taliban's takeover of their homeland in August 2021. Many observers view the recognition as the fruit of the huge amount of struggle endured by the players, former captain and activist Khalida Popal, and human rights groups.

Afghan Women's Refugee Team's move toward recognition happened last October, when the players participated in a tournament that included Chad, Libya, and Tunisia in Morocco. Following recent developments, the Afghan Women's Refugee Team, coached by Pauline Hamill, is reportedly expected to suit up for a pair of exhibition matches during the upcoming June international window. While the details about their opponents remain under wraps, FIFA's recognition is a major deal for the team.

FIFA Eligibility Is Significant For Afghan Women's Refugee Team

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also appreciative of the apex body's decision to recognize the women's football team. In a statement about the recognition, Infantino shared his thoughts:

“We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United, and with this initiative we aim to enable them, as well as other FIFA member associations that may not be able to register a national or representative team for a FIFA competition, to make the next step, in coordination with the relevant confederation."

When Will The Afghan Women's Refugee Team Play Their First Game?

The upcoming June international window will see the team play their first game against opponents yet to be decided. Coach Hamill's team last played a competitive game in December 2018, losing 5-0 to Tajikistan in the CAFA Women's Championship. A welcome news for the Afghan Women's Refugee Team, who had to survive a shutdown of all women's sports imposed by the Taliban when it returned to power in 2021.

According to ESPN, the Afghan soccer federation was under investigation for misconduct involving the women's program. Reports suggest allegations of rape and physical abuse were rampant under the federation's purview. It resulted in Keramuddin Keram, the federation president, being banned for life by FIFA.