Historic rule change
National team with a comeback after eight years
April 29, 2026 – 3:57 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The Afghan women’s national team could soon be back on the pitch. It would be a comeback after a long time.
After a break of almost eight years, the Afghanistan women’s national team is returning to international football. The FIFA Council changed its statutes on Tuesday and now allows the world association to register teams in exceptional cases without recognition by their own national association.
Previously, the FIFA statutes stipulated that a team could only be officially recognized if the respective national association also did so. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sports were banned. Afghanistan have not played a competitive game since December 2018.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino commented on the rule change. He spoke of a “landmark change” and a “significant and unprecedented step” in international sport. “By offering Afghan women the opportunity to play official games for their country, we are putting our principles into action,” he said.
Former captain Khalida Popal described the return as a sign of “identity, dignity and hope”. After the Taliban came to power, many players fled to Australia, Europe, the USA or the Middle East. Most recently, the refugee team “Afghan Women United” did the preparatory work.
The newly assembled team will complete a training camp in New Zealand from June 1st to 9th and will also meet the Cook Islands. Qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup has already begun – Afghanistan could qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games.
