Afghan women’s national football team member Mina Ahmadi expressed her relief and happiness, stating that “justice has been served,” following FIFA’s recent update to its governance regulations. This change now permits the team to participate in official international competitions.

The women’s team has faced exclusion from international events since the Taliban regained control in 2021, imposing a ban on sports for women and girls. As a result, many athletes have fled Afghanistan, with most currently residing in Australia.

The Afghan Women United team has been established and participated in friendly matches during this time. Previously, FIFA’s regulations made it impossible for these exiled players to represent their national team in official events without consent from the Taliban-affiliated Afghanistan Football Federation.

The newly amended rules enable FIFA to register a national team for official competitions when the home member association is unable to do so. Ahmadi described this announcement as a “happy moment” after considerable effort and perseverance from the team.

“It was an emotional moment for everyone involved,” she shared in an interview with ABC Weekend Breakfast. “This is a historic moment for each of us. It signifies a significant achievement for us and for Afghan girls.”

Ahmadi reflected on the challenges faced during the Taliban’s rise to power, stating that most team members had to abandon everything they built and start anew in a different country. “The hardest part was knowing that despite our efforts, we were still unrecognized on the international stage,” she remarked.

She hopes that this development will provide encouragement to the women and girls still living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. “My message is that while this change may not directly affect them, we will strive to be their voice,” Ahmadi emphasized.

Former team captain Khalida Popal expressed optimism about the future, asserting that their collective advocacy has not only improved prospects for Afghan women but also set a precedent preventing other national teams from undergoing similar sacrifices. “This marks a revival of hope and sends a strong message to those attempting to marginalize women: you will not succeed,” Popal stated in a shared announcement with the team, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Sport and Rights Alliance.

While the rule adjustment is significant, the timing of FIFA’s announcement means that the Afghan women’s national team will miss the opportunity to qualify for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year. Instead, the team is now focusing on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.