FIFA has confirmed that the Afghanistan women’s national team—composed entirely of refugee players—will make its official return to competition this October, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to promote gender inclusion in global football.
The team is set to participate in a four-nation tournament hosted in Dubai from October 23 to 29, alongside national squads from the United Arab Emirates, Libya, and Chad.
In its official statement, FIFA emphasized that this initiative reflects its broader commitment to empowering women and girls through sport, and to creating safe, inclusive environments where their athletic ambitions can thrive.
This will be Afghanistan’s first official women’s match since 2018. Notably, Libya and Chad’s women’s teams currently hold no FIFA ranking, while the UAE is ranked 117th globally