Introduction to Afghan Women’s Football
Four years since they last played an official game, Afghanistan’s women are ready to play for their country again. The FIFA Unites: Women’s Series will see the newly formed Afghanistan women’s refugee football team play against Chad, Libya, and the United Arab Emirates from October 23-29. While the games are important, sending a message to the oppressive rulers of their homeland is even more important.
The Team’s Motivation
"A lot of emotions come up, a mix of excitement and anticipation for the tournament, but at the same time, it’s also a big responsibility," defender Najma Arefi said. "It’s not just about wearing the Afghan women’s team jersey. It’s also about representing so many of the Afghan women who have been silenced and have no voice to share with the world. They have been denied every single human right."
Life Under the Taliban
Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, women and girls in the country have been almost completely deprived of their rights. They cannot leave the house without a close male chaperone or receive an education beyond primary school level and are brutally punished for many everyday activities. The sport, which began to flourish for women and girls in the 20 years since the last Taliban regime, was also banned.
Personal Experience
For women like Arefi, who was 17 at the time, leaving was the only sensible option. "I lived under the Taliban regime for about a month. As a girl, it was a nightmare. I also had three younger sisters in my family. One of the biggest problems back then was that the Taliban soldiers married young girls against their will. The news spread, and my parents were very, very worried about what to do with us," she said. "Sports made life riskier and more dangerous for us back then. I wasn’t even able to leave the house to go shopping or do anything else. I felt like I was in a prison."
The Road to Recovery
Arefi, who has now settled in England, has tried to stay in touch with as many family and friends remaining in Afghanistan as possible. But the Taliban’s massive restrictions on access to social media and the shutdown of the internet in late September have left Afghans, especially women, isolated. "We really hope they can watch us, and they can see us as an inspiration to them because there is so much going wrong in Afghanistan right now," she said.
Rebuilding the Team
The tournament represents a significant step towards re-joining FIFA, which was a priority for the escaped female footballers. Under the leadership of former captain Khalida Popal, many young footballers have worked tirelessly for the cause. A refugee team playing in the regional leagues in Melbourne, Australia served as the de facto Afghan team but was not recognized by the game’s global governors.
A New Beginning
This strategy led to this month’s tournament and the announcement of the first official Afghanistan squad since 2021. Of the 23 players who will travel to Dubai, 13 are based in Australia, five in the UK, three in Portugal, and two in Italy. They are coached by a former international player. Many of the team’s players played together in their home country and Arefi said the chance to play together again at a pre-tournament selection camp was an emotional event.
The Team’s Message
"The camp we had was a reunion. Some of the girls came from different countries, and it was like a warm hug for us to see each other again after such a long time," she said. "When we stepped onto the field, it didn’t feel like we had been apart for so long because football brought us back together as a team and allowed us to show the resilience and sisterhood that we have." The team’s message to the Taliban is clear: "We are still here. We are still fighting for the voice you are taking away from us."
Future Plans
Arefi balances her football with the education she was denied in Afghanistan. Her experiences led her to study criminal justice and social work, and she plans to go to university next year. "I want to become a human rights lawyer, advocate for the women and girls who can’t, and take advantage of the opportunities I have here." The next step in this fight will be the match against Chad on October 23rd in Dubai.
