FIFA has confirmed that Afghanistan’s refugee women’s team will play its first competitive matches in October at a four-nation tournament in Dubai.
The Afghanistan national women’s refugee football team will make its competitive debut at a four-team tournament in Dubai this October, FIFA confirmed on Wednesday.
The side, excluded from World Cup qualifying and not officially recognised as Afghanistan’s national team, will face the United Arab Emirates, Chad, and Libya in matches scheduled for the last week of October.
Zurich-based FIFA described the competition as “a historic four-team women’s football event” that “reinforces FIFA’s efforts to promote and protect the right of all women and girls to play the sport, pursue their footballing dreams and thrive through the game.”
The team has not played since 2018, with women’s sport halted under Taliban rule. Established earlier this year, the refugee squad has trained in Australia and England.
FIFA has pledged a three-pillar support strategy, including advocacy and direct aid. Despite this milestone, the players continue to push for official recognition.
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