Latest news with #refugeeTeam
Washington Post
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
FIFA pledges to help create Afghan refugee team in women's soccer for friendly games
ZURICH — FIFA has pledged to help create an Afghanistan refugee team in women's soccer that can play friendly games outside of competitions during a sports ban by the Taliban on women in the country. The move on Friday does not yet meet exiled players' wish to be a recognized Afghanistan women's national team playing qualifying games for the Women's World Cup and Asian championships.
Reuters
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
FIFA OKs creation of Afghanistan women's refugee team
May 9 - FIFA has approved the creation of an Afghanistan women's refugee team that will compete in matches overseen by the world governing body. According to FIFA, the team -- composed of female players of Afghan nationality who obtained refugee status abroad -- would first operate under a one-year pilot phase, which will help the organization determine the long-term viability of the program. The FIFA Council must approve the team's establishment. Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, called the approval a "landmark" moment, adding that "FIFA is committed to giving every girl the possibility to play football." FIFA regulations require teams to receive recognition by a national federation in order to compete. The Afghan Football Federation, however, has not acknowledged its women's teams, in fact banning all women's sports across the country. Afghanistan has not had a women's side compete in an official match since 2018. --Field Level Media
Associated Press
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
FIFA pledges to help create Afghan refugee team in women's soccer for friendly games
ZURICH (AP) — FIFA has pledged to help create an Afghanistan refugee team in women's soccer that can play friendly games outside of competitions during a sports ban by the Taliban on women in the country. The move on Friday does not yet meet exiled players' wish to be a recognized Afghanistan women's national team playing qualifying games for the Women's World Cup and Asian championships. Afghanistan has not played an official women's competitive game since 2018, and the return to power of the Taliban regime in 2021 shut down women's sport. As one of FIFA's 211 national members, the Afghanistan soccer federation has a statutory obligation 'to prevent and fight against any kind of discrimination ... (and) promote the development of women's football and the full participation of women at all levels.' The Afghan federation has not fulfilled its obligations but has not been suspended by FIFA. FIFA said its ruling council approved a strategy for Afghan women's soccer that 'foresees the establishment of the Afghan women's refugee team.' 'FIFA is engaging directly with the relevant players,' the soccer body said, and will 'organize and facilitate its operations to start its activities as soon as possible.' ___ AP soccer:
