Afghan Women’s Football Team Makes Emotional Return After Years of Taliban Exile

Wellington | June 5, 2026

Afghanistan’s women’s football team has made a powerful return to the international stage after years in exile, symbolising resilience and hope following the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports in 2021.

The Afghan women’s football team has resumed international competition after years in exile, marking a major victory for women athletes who fled Taliban rule and continued training abroad despite enormous challenges.

Several members of the Afghanistan women’s national football team, forced to flee their homeland after the Taliban regained power in 2021, are now preparing for competitive international matches following recognition from FIFA earlier this year. The development has been hailed as a landmark moment for Afghan women athletes who continued their sporting careers in exile while advocating for women’s rights and freedom.

Many of the players, including goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi and midfielder Mona Amini, escaped Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover and eventually resettled in countries such as Australia. After years of uncertainty and displacement, the team regrouped under the Afghan Women United programme and continued training with hopes of one day representing their country again.

The players are currently participating in a training camp in Auckland, New Zealand, where they are scheduled to play friendly matches against a team from the Cook Islands. FIFA’s decision in April to grant the squad eligibility for international competition marked a historic breakthrough, especially as Afghanistan’s football federation still does not officially recognise the women’s team.

Several players described the return as emotional and deeply personal, recalling how women’s sports were completely banned after the Taliban’s return to power. Many athletes had gone into hiding fearing persecution before eventually being evacuated from the country. Despite losing homes, careers and normal lives, the players continued to pursue football while also becoming voices for Afghan women and girls living under restrictions.

The Afghan women’s team last played an official competitive international match in 2018. Their return is now being viewed globally as a symbol of courage, determination and resistance against oppression through sport.

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