For co-captain and defender Mursal Sadat, the newly branded Afghan Women United football team's comeback is all about hope. The team played for the first time in four years at last month's FIFA Unites Women's Series in Morocco. Made up of refugee players from around the world, the team has the backing of their compatriots back home.
Living in exile since the Taliban's reseizure of Afghanistan in 2021, the players see returning to the pitch as more significant than a re-launch of their sporting careers. They played three games in a round-robin tournament, with early defeats against Chad and Tunisia, countered by a 7-0 victory against Libya.
Sadat, who escaped Taliban-controlled Kabul on an Australian government-issued emergency visa, said the team has received positive feedback from women in Afghanistan. 'Whenever there is someone saying that these girls belong to the kitchen, they shouldn't play … all those women are coming and defending us,' she said.
Living in exile has brought challenges, including separation anxiety and survivor's guilt. Sadat noted the power of football to heal her despair, saying, 'At that point, to be honest, football was the only thing that was keeping me alive and safe.'
Melbourne Victory has provided Afghan refugee players the chance to join local leagues since 2022. However, barriers persist for international opportunities, and the recent tournament almost collapsed after visas could not be secured for the Afghan team, forcing a relocation from Dubai to Morocco.
Afghan Women United remains ineligible for top-tier FIFA tournaments, as the Taliban-run Afghan Football Federation retains authority over player selection. FIFA says its strategy for Afghan women's football is a long-term commitment to safe and sustainable pathways.
