Fifa's inaction took our platform away from us

Football's world governing body is finally recognising Afghanistan's women's team but players say it is too late

- Suzanne Wrack

Fifa has cleared the way for the exiled Afghanistan women's national team to represent the country but has been criticised for moving too slowly, four years after players fled the country when the Taliban returned to power.

Football's global governing body said it was committed to supporting players outside Afghanistan and would organise training camps, provide staff (including qualified coaches and technical and medical staff) and coordinate friendly matches.

The pledges were made in a letter to the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA), which has been pressing for the exiled team to be recognised.

The Afghanistan women's side last played an official game in 2018.

Current and former players welcomed Fifa's steps but expressed frustration at the pace of change.

Fifa's move comes too late for potential participation at the 2027 Women's World Cup because the team were not in the draw yesterday for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers.

That tournament determines qualification for the World Cup and Olympic Games.

"Players want to play for their country, they want to represent the women of Afghanistan and they want to be a voice for those who are on a voiceless journey," the national team player Mursal Sadat said on Tuesday.

"The Taliban took that platform from us.