Afghan women’s team prepare for international return in New Zealand

The Afghan women’s football team has gathered for a training camp in New Zealand to prepare for international matches against the Cook Islands, marking a historic return after escaping the Taliban regime.

Twenty-three members of the Afghan Women United programme are currently training in Auckland ahead of their upcoming fixtures.

The squad’s journey back to the pitch has been a perilous one following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

That regime change immediately halted all women’s sports across the nation, forcing the players into hiding before a frantic evacuation effort.

Finding refuge and Fifa recognition

Thirteen members of the exiled roster ultimately found sanctuary in Australia, where they have continued to live and train.

Despite the Afghan football federation refusing to recognise them, football’s world governing body recently stepped in.

Fifa officially granted the displaced team eligibility for international competition this April.

“It was a special day that we heard that Afghanistan can represent again our flag in international tournaments,” said midfielder Mona Amini.

“This is the result of hard work that we did in the past four or five years.”

Rebuilding a fractured national squad

While a core group settled down under, other squad members are now scattered across Europe and the United States.

Coach Pauline Hamill has been tasked with organising talent identification camps to bring the dispersed players back together.

The resilient side already secured a symbolic victory seven months ago by defeating Libya in a friendly tournament.

For Melbourne-based goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, regaining official status means everything to a group that lost their homes.

“We’re going to have the national team! That’s the greatest thing ever that could have happened,” she explained.

“It was super important to us, especially thinking of the time when we arrived in Australia and we had lost everything: family, our childhood memories and that national team.”

Playing for those left behind

The shot-stopper fled her homeland with just a single backpack to ensure her safety.

Now, the memories of those dark days serve as a powerful motivator for the entire group.

The athletes are determined to represent the women and girls who remain trapped under oppressive rule in their native country.

These upcoming matches in Auckland will be their first official competitive fixtures since 2018.