The fight for an Afghanistan women's team isn't only about soccer to its advocates
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — For former player and activist Khalida Popal, the formal recognition of an Afghanistan women's refugee team on the international stage isn't just about soccer. The FIFA Council agreed last week during a meeting in Vancouver to amend its rules to recognize the team after a long campaign by Popal, advocates and others, meaning it could someday qualify for the World Cup or the Olympics. It was a moment of celebration for Popal after years of fighting.
“It has always been about the identity, it has always been about the greater mission, beyond football. We are not skillful, the most skillful team in the world, if you see our ranking, our results, it’s never been only about football,” Popal told The Associated Press. “Of course, football is the love and joy that brings.
We’ll never forget that, but it was more about who we are as the identity, the women of Afghanistan. " Popal was one of the founding members in 2007 of the Afghanistan national team, which fought for acceptance before the Taliban's rise to power led to a prohibition on women playing sports. She was later instrumental in helping players flee the country in 2021 when Kabul fell.
Popal, the players who escaped and other advocates for the team subsequently mounted a campaign to revive the national team as a refugee team that would be eligible to compete for spots in international tournaments. The victory for the team, which plays under the name Afghan Women United, also cleared the way for other teams that may face similar circumstances in the future. “They have taken this great step to not only allow the women of Afghanistan to represent the country as a national team, but also they have changed and adapted the statues that no team in situations like us, that we have faced, will suffer the way we have suffered and sacrificed,” Popal said.
"So this change is not only for Afghanistan and the future of the Afghan women, but is for the change for football globally. ” More than 80 Afghan refugee players are currently scattered across Australia, the United States and Europe. Two camps were recently held for the women, one in England and another in Australia.
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