Overview

• FIFA announced plans to provide training camps, staff, and friendly matches for Afghan women footballers but has not granted official recognition to the exiled Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team (AWNT).
• The team will miss the 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which determine entry to the 2027 Women’s World Cup, marking their exclusion from international competitions for four years.
• FIFA regulations require recognition from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation, which refuses to acknowledge women’s sports due to the Taliban’s ban.
• The AWNT and its supporters, including Malala Yousafzai and global advocacy groups, continue to call for FIFA to officially recognize the team and provide financial support for training and competition.
• The International Olympic Committee set a precedent by recognizing an Afghan Olympic Committee in exile, enabling Afghan women athletes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics despite Taliban restrictions.