FIFA president Gianni Infantino hails first talent camp staged for Afghanistan women’s refugee football team.
A group of Afghan refugee players participated in the first of three global talent identification camps in Sydney last month as part of efforts to build a 23-player women’s squad for friendly internationals this year, world football body FIFA has revealed.
Many players from the women’s national team fled the country over fears of persecution after the Taliban took control of the government in 2021, and they have been fighting for their right to play internationally again after being excluded from World Cup qualifying events.
The Taliban-controlled Afghan Football Federation has banned women’s sports, shattering the dreams of the team, which requires recognition by a national federation to compete internationally.
The Taliban says it respects women’s rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law and local customs, and that internal matters should be addressed locally.
