- Fifa has approved a regulation change, allowing Afghan Women United, a team of female refugees, to officially represent Afghanistan as the national women's football team.
- This decision, made by the Fifa Council in Vancouver, bypasses the Taliban's ban on women's sports and their control over the Afghanistan Football Federation, which had previously prevented the team from competing.
- The exiled players and their supporters, including former national team captain Khalida Popal, campaigned for over three years for Fifa to reverse its initial stance, which required recognition from the Taliban-controlled federation.
- The team, whose players are spread across Australia, Europe, and the Middle East after being evacuated in 2021, has not played an official competitive match since the Taliban's return to power in 2021 and their subsequent ban on women's sports.
- While too late for the 2027 Women's World Cup, the team can now participate in the qualifying process for the 2028 LA Olympics and is expected to play its next international matches during the June window.
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