DONCASTER, England, Oct 20 (CNN) – Excitement and emotion filled the room as five young Afghan women learned they had been selected by FIFA for the newly formed Afghan women’s refugee soccer squad. For many of them, the announcement represents both hope and heartbreak – a step closer to playing the game they love, yet still short of the recognition they seek.
The 23-player squad, unveiled by FIFA on Wednesday, will compete in a friendly tournament in Dubai this month against Chad, Libya, and the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes four years after the Taliban’s return to power forced Afghanistan’s women athletes into exile.
Dreams revived after years of exile
Goalkeeper Elaha Safdari, 21, who now lives in England, described the news as “out of this world.” “I’m sure my parents will be proud of me. They’ll probably see me on TV,” she said tearfully. Her parents remain in Afghanistan due to health issues, while she and her brother started anew in Doncaster as refugees.
Defender Narges Mayeli, another former national player, praised FIFA for its support but said the team’s ultimate goal remains full recognition as Afghanistan’s national squad. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity, but I still want to be called the Afghanistan women’s national team,” she said.
Debate over the ‘refugee’ label
While the athletes appreciate the opportunity to play internationally, many feel uneasy about being labeled a “refugee” team. “We want more than that from FIFA,” said player Zainab Mozaffari. “We are tired of getting called ‘refugee.’”
In response, FIFA said the formation of the Afghan women’s refugee team was a “landmark step forward” that provides the players with an international platform and recognition. The organization added that it has continued to work to support Afghan women’s football both inside the country and in exile since 2021.
Struggles beyond the pitch
For many of the players, football has been a means of survival and resistance. When the Taliban took control, families hid team kits and medals to avoid persecution. After months of uncertainty, several players, including the Mayeli family, were evacuated to the UK, where they lived in temporary accommodation for nearly two years while seeking asylum.
“Football saved my life and my family’s life,” said Mayeli, who is now studying sports management at university.
Defender Najma Arefi, 22, who dreams of becoming a human rights lawyer, said the loss of freedom for Afghan women remains unbearable. “As human beings we were born free … suddenly everything just collapsed,” she said, adding that women were among the worst affected by Afghanistan’s recent earthquake.
Football as a tool for human rights
Former national team captain Khalida Popal, now based in Denmark, helped mentor the exiled players and push FIFA for their inclusion. “Football has always been a tool to fight for our human rights,” she said. “We have sacrificed so much and knocked on every door to get FIFA’s attention.”
Popal joined the women on the training pitch in Doncaster, reminding them that this new beginning is only part of a longer struggle for equality. “The FIFA-led squad is just the beginning,” she said proudly.
For goalkeeper Safdari, the mission remains clear: “The Taliban took my dream away, and I’m just hungry to play,” she said. “It’s just football – let us play. Let us represent our country.”