With determination and support from their families, Yousufi and others, including Mona Amini, managed to pursue their education and compete as soccer players for clubs and the Afghanistan women’s team. However, when the Taliban regained power in 2021, they enforced a ban on all women’s sports, forcing the Afghan players into hiding.
After a frantic evacuation, 13 players settled in Australia, where they lived, trained, and hoped to represent their country once again for five years.
The Afghanistan football federation does not acknowledge the women’s team. Nevertheless, in April, FIFA approved the Afghan women’s team for international competition eligibility.
This week, 23 members of the Afghan Women United program are participating in a training camp in Auckland, New Zealand, scheduled to play against a team from the Cook Islands.
“It was a special day when we heard that Afghanistan could once again proudly represent our flag in international tournaments,” Amini, a midfielder, shared in a Zoom call with The Associated Press on Tuesday. “This is the result of the hard work we put in over the past four or five years.”
Seven months ago, the Afghan women competed in the “Unite” tournament, where they celebrated a victory over Libya.
“It was an incredibly special moment, as we played in an international friendly tournament and, after three years, we finally heard our anthem,” Amini recalled. “That was truly amazing for me.”
FIFA’s subsequent recognition marked another significant milestone on their long and challenging journey.
Yousufi, a goalkeeper based in Melbourne, vividly remembers her reaction.
“We’re going to have a national team! That’s the best thing that could have happened for us,” she declared. “It was crucial for us, especially when we think back to our arrival in Australia, having lost everything: our families, childhood memories, and the national team.”
Yousufi mentioned that she left home with just one backpack, “to ensure safety and survival.”
“When we arrived here, our primary goal was to be soccer players and part of a soccer team,” she explained. “When we realized we couldn’t officially be a national team and represent our country … it felt like losing the game.”
While many settled in Australia, Afghan players are also spread across Europe and some are in the United States. Coach Pauline Hamill organizes talent identification camps and facilitates the assembly of the squad for games.
Memories of their darkest moments remain a driving force for the team, inspiring them to succeed and to represent women and girls still facing challenges in their homeland. The Afghan women’s team last played an official competitive match in 2018.
“In Afghanistan, we couldn’t play freely,” Amini said. “Exiting our homes was perilous due to the risk of being seen by the Taliban playing soccer. It was an extremely difficult time and every one of us fought hard to form this team, and we are incredibly happy to be together now.”
Yousufi had been a student and soccer player, finding it challenging even before the Taliban took over, “for a girl to play football in Afghanistan because of family barriers and societal difficulties in accepting women in sports.”
“We were constantly aware of the dangers we faced, such as bomb explosions. We took significant risks to join the national team and pursue our passion for football,” she reflected.
Then life became even more challenging.
“All humans desire freedom, and the Taliban took ours,” Amini remarked. “It’s incredibly tough not being able to study, play sports, go outside, or pursue your passions … (or) chase your dreams.”
Amini emphasized that the refugee players are now resolute about representing all women and girls in Afghanistan.
“We are here and will strive to do something for them, to be their voice, so we can nurture a new generation for the Afghanistan women’s national team,” she stated.
Yousufi mentioned that she and her fellow players have been “embraced by the Australian government,” allowing them to pursue their lives, educational goals, and continue voicing for those girls still in Afghanistan.
“Our team has the potential to change perceptions and the treatment of girls and women in Afghanistan,” she said. “We’re all committed to demonstrating that women and girls can contribute to society and pursue education or sports; women have the right to do so.”
