Over 8,000 miles away from their homeland, the exiled Afghanistan women’s national football team marked an emotional day as they convened in Auckland, New Zealand, for an official training camp and friendly matches against the Cook Islands. The squad of 23 players, who will play under the team name Afghan Women United, came together from their respective countries, such as Australia, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The major gathering is the first time the full national delegation will assemble officially, since FIFA, the sport’s governing body, revised its rules on leadership to permit refugee members of the Afghan team to take part in official internationals, including future World Cup qualifiers for Afghanistan.
Banned from football at home, Afghan women’s team reunite 8,000 miles away❤️✈️
The 23-player squad, selected from Afghan players now living abroad, has travelled to New Zealand to play two friendly games against the Cook Islands🇨🇰🇦🇫
This is the first time they have been… pic.twitter.com/BlaPup4ej3
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) August 6, 2026
Historic FIFA Council Decision Restores International Eligibility
The journey back to competitive international football follows years of intense advocacy by displaced players, human rights organizations, and international sporting bodies. Following the political shifts in Kabul in August 2021, organized women’s sports were strictly prohibited across Afghanistan, forcing the original national team setup to disband and players to seek political asylum abroad.
Recognizing the unique plight of the refugee athletes, the FIFA Council passed a groundbreaking regulatory amendment allowing the exiled team to organize, compete, and pursue qualification for major tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
Exiled Squad Demonstrates Resilience On Global Stage In Auckland
Operating under the tactical guidance of head coach Pauline Hamill, the 23-player national roster featured athletes playing for various global clubs, including Australia’s Bundoora United and England’s Kiveton Park. Playing their scheduled international fixtures against the Cook Islands in Auckland, the matches represented far more than the final scoreline for the displaced athletes.
Supported and funded directly through the FIFA Strategy for Action initiative, the squad demonstrated incredible unity and tactical growth, sending a powerful message of hope and identity to millions of Afghan women and girls worldwide.
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