Congressional Soccer Caucus leaders call for FIFA to recognize Afghanistan’s women’s team

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, featuring the co-chairs of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, is asking the president of FIFA to allow the Afghanistan Women’s Football team to represent its country in global events. 

Members of the team fled from Afghanistan after the Taliban took over its government in 2021 and were evacuated to Australia, where they are considered unofficial by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer. 

“They have been playing against other clubs in Australia, all while hoping to create a team outside of Afghanistan that can represent their mothers, sisters, and daughters who continue to be repressed by the Taliban government,” read the letter from lawmakers to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, obtained by Punchbowl News.

“It is our belief that FIFA should develop a process to allow the members of the team, now exiled, to play in the organization, if not for the future of the beautiful game, then for the important message it sends to women and girls around the world.”

The group of legislators is is made up of Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.).

Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, women’s rights in the country have been severely limited. Some restrictions on freedoms include women not being allowed to continue education past the sixth grade and prohibitions on traveling outside homes.

The Associated Press contributed reporting