Afghan women footballers who fled their country after the Taliban returned to power are rebuilding their careers in exile, hoping to once again represent Afghanistan on the international stage after years of uncertainty and displacement.

The players, now part of the Afghan Women United program, include athletes like goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi and midfielder Mona Amini. Many left Afghanistan in a hurried evacuation after 2021, when the Taliban banned women from sports and forced the national team to disband.

Before the takeover, the players were students and athletes who trained and competed despite social pressure and safety risks. After fleeing, several settled in Australia, while others spread across Europe and the United States, continuing to train with the hope of returning to international football.

This week, 23 members of the squad are in Auckland, New Zealand, for a training camp and friendly matches against teams including the Cook Islands.

Although the Afghan football federation does not officially recognize the women’s team, FIFA in April approved their eligibility for international competition, marking a major breakthrough for the group.

Amini described the recognition as a turning point after years of struggle, saying it allowed the team to once again dream of competing under the Afghan flag. She recalled their participation in a recent “Unite” tournament, where they secured a win and were able to hear their national anthem again for the first time in years.

Yousufi, who arrived in Australia with only a backpack, said the recognition revived hope after the loss of home, family ties and their sporting careers. She said becoming an official national team again felt like regaining something they thought was gone forever.

Coach Pauline Hamill has helped bring the scattered players together through training camps and international fixtures, identifying talent across different countries to rebuild the squad.

The players say their journey remains deeply tied to the experiences of women in Afghanistan who are still unable to access education and sport. They hope their return to international football will serve as a message of resilience and opportunity.

Amini said the team’s goal is to represent Afghan women and girls who cannot play freely in their own country, adding that they want to inspire a future generation of female athletes.

Yousufi said the group is now focused on education, football and advocacy, and hopes their presence on the global stage will help change attitudes about women’s participation in sport and society.