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Afghanistan women's national team celebrate 'historical moment' at FIFA Congress after reinstatement
TL;DR
The Afghanistan women's national team has been reinstated by FIFA, marking a significant achievement after years of exile due to the Taliban's return to power. Khalida Popal, the former captain, called it a 'historical moment' for Afghan women and global sports.
Key points
- Afghanistan women's national team reinstated by FIFA
- Team was in exile since August 2021
- Khalida Popal celebrated the decision as a historical moment
- FIFA can now sanction the team directly
- Team aims to qualify for their first major competition
Mentioned in this story
Khalida PopalFIFAAfghanistan
Afghanistan women's national team
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Khalida Popal, the former captain of the Afghanistan women's national team, celebrated the team's reinstatement in what she described as a "historical moment" after a years-long battle to ensure the team could take part in official competition.
The team has been in exile since Aug. 2021, when the U.S.' withdrawal from the country paved the way for the Taliban's return to power. FIFA rules previously required national federations to sanction a national team, something the Afghanistan Football Federation was unwilling to do, but the FIFA Council's decision on Tuesday allowed the governing body to handle the sanctioning themselves. The national team can effectively resume regular play immediately in the hopes of qualifying for their first-ever major competition.
"A historical moment," Popal told CBS Sports on Thursday at the FIFA Congress, recalling her feelings upon finding out the news two days earlier. "Something to be proud of. Something that we have waited for such a long time. Long journey, long fight, long battle, but we have achieved, and we have not only changed the future for the women of Afghanistan, but also globally because the statutes of FIFA is adopted and now, there won't be teams who will suffer for the same situation that we have suffered and sacrificed for so many years."
The players had lobbied for the rule change as soon as they entered exile, but felt the gears begin to move almost two years ago, when the International Olympic Committee arranged for athletes to take part in the Paris Games despite being in exile.
"It started after the Paris Olympics," Popal recalled. "The Afghan athletes were involved in the Paris Olympic Games and also, the cricket team started involving the women of Afghanistan, so it was a moment where FIFA started also having conversations with us and started listening to the stories of players, understanding especially around the security and safeguarding."
Popal said FIFA's highest-ranking leaders took a notable interest in the cause, including president Gianni Infantino and chief football officer Jill Ellis, while the allowed them to return to play last September.
Q&A
What led to the reinstatement of the Afghanistan women's national soccer team?
The reinstatement followed a FIFA Council decision allowing FIFA to sanction the team directly, overcoming the Afghanistan Football Federation's refusal to do so.
How long was the Afghanistan women's national team in exile?
The team has been in exile since August 2021, following the Taliban's return to power after the U.S. withdrawal.
What does Khalida Popal say about the team's reinstatement?
Khalida Popal described the reinstatement as a 'historical moment' and a significant achievement for Afghan women and global sports.
What are the implications of FIFA's decision for women's soccer in Afghanistan?
FIFA's decision allows the Afghanistan women's national team to resume play and pursue qualification for major competitions, changing the future for Afghan women in sports.
