The Latest Breaking News from Khalida Popal

‘Never lose hope’: how a new Afghanistan women’s team helps refugees cope with trauma

Afghan Women United is comprised of players forced to flee their homeland and is another step in beating barriers

The Guardian - UK · Nov 9, 2025

UN official backs call for FIFA action on gender oppression in Afghanistan

The UN special rapporteur on Afghanistan urges ‘strong stand’ from FIFA for nation’s women to make international return.

Al Jazeera · Mar 26, 2025

Fifa closes on recognising Afghanistan women’s team but players say it is too late

Team is closer to being able to represent their country four years after exile, but players have expressed their frustration at slow process from Fifa

The Guardian - UK · Mar 25, 2025

Khalida Popal: ‘I was accused of wanting to brainwash women to play football’

Founder of Afghanistan women’s national team tells Donald McRae about fearing assassination and aiding 500 players and their families evacuate when the Taliban returned

The Guardian - UK · Jun 8, 2024

‘It’s heartbreaking’: Malala Yousafzai meets exiled Afghanistan women’s football team

Football must fight against gender discrimination, says the Nobel peace prize winner – or future generations of women will suffer

The Guardian - UK · Aug 30, 2023

Afghan players watch Morocco's team practice for Women's World Cup, hoping to get their chance

There'll be 32 national teams competing across Australia and New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup

The Independent UK · Jul 19, 2023

UK parliament calls on Fifa to support exiled Afghanistan women’s team

Gianni Infantino has been urged to support Afghan women competing internationally with the parliamentarians letter backing a call made by Malala Yousafzai and Khalida Popal in January

The Guardian - UK · Jun 20, 2023

"We are not the bad guys" - Afghan women's player speaks out on 'false footballer' accusations

A Newsnight investigation into the evacuation of female footballers from Afghanistan in 2021 has come under fire.

Daily Mirror · Apr 11, 2023

Female footballers who fled Afghanistan in 2021 criticise BBC’s ‘false footballers’ article

Players criticise the BBC for questioning their integrity and naming individuals without consent

The Guardian - UK · Mar 17, 2023

Afghanistan women athletes in peril, future uncertain

The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August last year crushed the dreams and hopes of millions of Afghan women who had made significant strides in the past 20 years.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 10, 2022