Afghan women footballers forced into exile by the Taliban have returned to the international stage, competing at the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series in Morocco and symbolising resilience in the face of repression.
Among them is 22-year-old Manoozh Noori, who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban banned women from education, work and sports. Noori once played for the national team but buried her medals before escaping to Australia. «Do I want to stay in a country where women are forbidden from studying or playing football?» she said, recalling her decision to leave.
Her team, Afghan Women United — formed by refugee players in Europe and Australia — made its debut in Berrechid last month. Noori scored their first goal against Chad. The squad fell to Chad and Tunisia but secured a commanding 7–0 win over Libya. For players, the results mattered less than the chance to represent Afghan women still denied basic freedoms at home.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino hailed the team as «a beautiful story», saying they play «for so many girls and women all over the world.»
Striker and former soldier Nilab Mohammadi called football «life and hope», while midfielder Mina Ahmadi, now studying in Australia, said the team is determined to keep pushing: «It won’t stop. We will keep moving forward.»
Afghan Women United hope to be recognised by FIFA as Afghanistan’s official team — a symbolic stand for millions unable to take the field.
