Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Matt Hughes in Vancouver

Afghanistan women’s refugee players allowed to compete as official national team

Fifa Afghanistan Taliban
Afghan Women United players celebrate after a match at the Fifa Unites: Women's Series in Morocco in 2025.
The Afghan Women United team competed in the inaugural Fifa Unites: Women’s Series in Morocco last year. Photograph: Jalal Morchidi/EPA

Fifa has given permission for Afghan Women United, a squad composed of refugees scattered around the world in Australia, the Middle East and Europe, to represent Afghanistan in official competitions without requiring the approval of the Taliban.

In a significant regulation change to be approved by the Fifa Council today, Afghan Women will be permitted to compete as the official Afghanistan national team for the first time, against the wishes of the country’s government.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
What’s Actually Made Fresh at the Grocery Store Bakery? The Answer May Surprise You
The smell of warm bread and cookies can make the grocery store bakery one of the hardest sections to walk past without buying something. Rows of golden rolls, frosted cupcakes, and fresh-looking pastries create the impression that bakers prepared everything that morning. Sometimes, that is true, but many supermarket bakeries…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Cyndi Lauper defends working with Nicki Minaj despite rapper’s support for Trump
Rapper has become one of the president’s most famous supporters
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Doctors Were the Butt of 40% of Facebook Doctor Jokes, but the Most-Liked One Skewered a Lawyer
Researchers combed 30,075 Facebook posts for doctor jokes. Physicians were the usual target, but the most-liked punchline hit a lawyer.
Medical Daily
Medical Daily
Fridge or not? What’s the best way to store bread?
Our experts have some airtight advice to stop your loaf from going stale
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Not enjoying being a parent? You’re not alone. Here’s how to handle this complicated feeling
We’re often told parenting is one of the most rewarding things we’ll ever do. But as many parents will attest, it is also full of very difficult moments. And sometimes these moments seem almost constant.
The Conversation
The Conversation
A warm, sumptuous tale of two Coppolas
As "Marie Antoinette" turns 20, Eleanor and Sofia Coppola's documentary reveals new resonance
Salon
Salon
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play