Banned from football at home, Afghan women's team reunite 8,000 miles away
The Afghan women's football team has reunited for a training camp in New Zealand after being forced into exile following the Taliban's return to power. A recent FIFA ruling now allows them to represent their country in official international competitions as a refugee squad.
Why it matters
This represents a significant milestone for displaced athletes and highlights the ongoing struggle for women's rights and sports participation under the Taliban regime.
Image source, Phil Walter/Getty Images Image caption, The Afghan women's football team gathered for the first time since Fifa ruled they could represent their country in official matches
The changing room is busy with footballers going through their pre-match routines. Some stretch and tighten their boots, others embrace.
"Be strong as always because we are representing Afghan women," says midfielder Fatima Haidari to fellow members of Afghan Women United.
Applause erupts in the room where an Afghan flag hangs and a patriotic song is played. As the women sing along some struggle to hold back tears.
There's a final team huddle with words of encouragement from their coach before they head out to the pitch – a place that for years they had been told they did not belong.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in