Afghanistan Women's Football Team In Exile To Compete In Dubai Tournament

FIFA has announced that Afghanistan's exiled women's national football team will take part in an international tournament in Dubai for the first time.

According to FIFA's statement on Wednesday, the Afghanistan's women players will compete in a four-nation friendly event hosted in the United Arab Emirates from October 23 to 29.

The teams set to participate include Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Chad, and Libya. The matches aim to highlight inclusivity and promote women's access to sports.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that ensuring women's equal participation remains one of the organization's top priorities.“These games are more than competition; they symbolize hope and progress for women worldwide,” he said.

The Afghanstan women's team fled the country after the Taliban takeover in 2021 and has since regrouped in exile. FIFA talent identification programs have brought together 23 players to form the current squad.

The tournament offers these women athletes a platform to showcase resilience and sporting spirit despite political restrictions at home. Their presence on the field represents not just football, but also the broader struggle for women's rights and recognition.

In a wider context, the participation of Afghanistan's exiled women underscores global support for gender equality in sports. It also sends a powerful message that opportunities for women must not be denied by political regimes.

Since 2021, the Taliban have barred Afghanistan's girls from secondary and higher education, restricted women's employment, and imposed strict limits on their public presence.

Women are also banned from sports and cultural activities, forcing athletes like the national football team into exile, drawing sharp global condemnation.

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