Afghan women’s soccer team plays on from exile
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The Afghanistan women’s national soccer team trains in Wolfsburg, Germany, despite being unable to play matches in their home country after the Taliban took power in 2021.
Following a change in FIFA regulations in April of 2026, the team is now officially permitted to compete in international matches. Khalida Popal, founder of the organization Girl Power and a former captain of the team, spearheaded the fight for this recognition, viewing it as a victory for Afghan women.
The players currently live across several countries, including England, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Australia, making regular team practices difficult. Despite the challenges, Maryam Karimi, a midfielder on the team, notes the strong unity among the players, who are determined to represent Afghanistan on the world stage. Popal hopes to build a strong team that will gain visibility for the plight of women in Afghanistan, where the Taliban prohibits them from participating in sports.
The team currently lacks support from the Afghan Football Federation and relies on funding from the Afghan diaspora and organizations like Volkswagen to sustain its activities and develop new talent. Popal believes this team represents more than just athletic competition, stating they are actively resisting the Taliban’s efforts to erase women from society and building a future for Afghan women.
