The members of the Afghan women’s soccer team, now refugees, are seizing another opportunity to progress in their international careers. They say these opportunities were taken away when the Taliban came to power in 2021. Among these women is Fatima Yousufi, who escaped to Australia with only a backpack and a strong desire to play soccer internationally.
Yousufi and players like Mona Amini managed to pursue education and soccer until the Taliban’s rise led to a ban on all women’s sports. The fear of persecution drove national team players to leave Afghanistan. Among them, 13 players eventually found refuge and opportunity in Australia. They spent the next five years living, training, and hoping to represent their country once more.
This week, 23 members of the Afghan Women United program have gathered for a training camp in Auckland, New Zealand. They are preparing for matches against a Cook Islands team. Although the national soccer federation hasn’t recognized the women’s team, in April, FIFA granted them eligibility for international competition.
Amini, a midfielder, expressed her joy upon learning of their renewed eligibility. “It’s the outcome of years of hard work,” she stated. Seven months prior, the team participated in the ‘Unite’ tournament and achieved a victory over Libya. “Playing in this international friendly and hearing our anthem after three years was an unforgettable experience,” Amini added.
The recognition from FIFA represented a key milestone on a challenging journey. Yousufi, a goalkeeper now based in Melbourne, described the moment they learned about the recognition vividly. “Having our national team again is incredible, especially considering the hardships we faced, losing family, memories, and our team when we arrived in Australia,” she reflected.
The Afghan women’s team last competed officially in 2018. Amini recalled the difficulties they faced, both due to the societal barriers against women in sports and the risks of being seen by the Taliban. “Leaving home was precarious; every step was a fight to form this team,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Yousufi pursued her dual role as a student and a soccer player. She recounted how, even prior to the Taliban’s resurgence, hurdles like societal pressure and security threats were daunting. “Every day involved risks, from bombings to societal disapproval,” she explained. Yet they persisted to play national soccer.
As a role model, Amini is committed to representing Afghan women and girls. “We’re their voice, aiming to inspire and establish a future generation for Afghanistan’s women’s national team,” she said. According to Yousufi, their journey had been supported by the Australian government. “We’re living, learning, playing soccer, and being voices for the girls back home,” she affirmed. She hopes the team can influence societal attitudes and prove that women can participate meaningfully in education and sports.
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