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Afghanistan women's national football team
TheWomen's national association football team representing Afghanistan
TheWomen's national association football team representing Afghanistan
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Afghanistan |
| Badge_size | 175px |
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) |
| Sub-confederation | CAFA (Central Asia) |
| FIFA Trigramme | AFG |
| FIFA Rank | |
| FIFA max | 106 |
| FIFA max date | December 2017 – March 2018 |
| FIFA min | 160 |
| FIFA min date | December 2021 |
| Nickname | The Lionesses of Afghanistan |
| (أسود أنثى أفغانستان) | |
| Coach | |
| Captain | |
| Most caps | |
| Top scorer | Marjan Haydaree (5) |
| pattern_la1 | _AFG14h |
| pattern_b1 | _AFG14h |
| pattern_ra1 | _AFG14h |
| pattern_sh1 | _AFG14h |
| leftarm1 | DD0000 |
| body1 | DD0000 |
| rightarm1 | DD0000 |
| shorts1 | FF0000 |
| socks1 | FF0000 |
| pattern_la2 | _AFG14a |
| pattern_b2 | _AFG14a |
| pattern_ra2 | _AFG14a |
| pattern_sh2 | _AFG14a |
| leftarm2 | FFFFFF |
| body2 | FFFFFF |
| rightarm2 | FFFFFF |
| shorts2 | FFFFFF |
| socks2 | FFFFFF |
| First game | 13–0 |
| (Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh; 14 December 2010) | |
| Last game | 0–5 |
| (Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 1 December 2018) | |
| Largest win | 0–4 |
| (Colombo, Sri Lanka; 10 September 2012) | |
| Largest loss | 20–0 |
| (Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 23 November 2018) | |
| 2ndRegional name | CAFA Championship |
| 2ndRegional cup apps | 1 |
| 2ndRegional cup first | 2018 |
| 2ndRegional cup best | Group stage (2018) |
| 3rdRegional name | SAFF Championship |
| 3rdRegional cup apps | 4 |
| 3rdRegional cup first | 2010 |
| 3rdRegional cup best | Semi-finals (2012) |
the women's team
| Sub-confederation = CAFA (Central Asia) (أسود أنثى أفغانستان) (Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh; 14 December 2010) (Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 1 December 2018) (Colombo, Sri Lanka; 10 September 2012) (Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 23 November 2018)
The Afghanistan women's national football team (Dari: تیم ملی فوتبال زنان افغانستان) was the women's national team of Afghanistan sanctioned by the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) until women's football was banned in their home country by the Taliban in 2021.
In May 2025, FIFA sanctioned the creation of an Afghan women's refugee team later named Afghan Women United to represent the Afghan diaspora.
Melbourne Victory FC AWT is a team founded in Australia which consist of the Afghan women’s national team. They compete in State League 3.
History
Islamic Republic (2007–2021)
The team was formed in 2007 by the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee with players drawn from among selected school girls in Kabul.
In an attempt to improve the quality of women's football, the team was sent to Germany in 2008 to hold a preparation camp. Later in the year, the Afghan team traveled to Jordan to participate in the Islamic Countries Women's Football Tournament.
In May 2010, Danish sports brand Hummel International sponsored male, female and youth teams of Afghanistan.
The 2010 SAFF Women's Championship in Bangladesh marked the first appearance of Afghanistan in a major international tournament. In it, they played their first official game, against Nepal, where they were defeated by an overwhelming 13–0 scoreline.
2016 marked a big year for the Afghanistan Women's National Team as they received support from the Afghanistan Football Federation and hired new coaching staff, comprising head coach Kelly Lindsey, assistant coach Haley Carter, and program director Khalida Popal.
In November 2018, male staff of the Afghanistan Football Federation were accused of sexual and physical abuse of Afghanistan women's players. The alleged abusers included the federation's president, Keramuudin Karim.
The national team played their last official match was the 0–5 lost to Tajikistan on December 1, 2018 at the 2018 CAFA Women's Championship
2021 Taliban takeover and disbandment
Following the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021, the national team players were evacuated out of the country. The Taliban has banned women's sports in the country including football. Coordinating with authorities from six countries, captain Khalida Popal and FIFPro facilitated the evacuation of the players and their families.
The AFF now has refused to recognize a women's national team; either consisting of diaspora or local players.
Aftermath and players' exile
The national team players in exile have played together. Australia-based players organized as Melbourne Victory FC AWT and joined Football Victoria in March 2022. In May 2022, an Afghan development side played a friendly against non-FIFA team Surrey in Dorking.
There has been also campaign for Afghan women for FIFA to allow them to play as a national team independent from the AFF. The Pauline Hamill-coached team later dubbed as Afghan Women United is still not recognized as formal national team by FIFA but played in the FIFA Unites: Women's Series friendly tournament against the Chad, Tunisia, and Libya national teams held in October to November 2025 in Morocco.
Results
Main article: Afghanistan women's national football team results
Coaching history
| a | red | 2px}}" | Name | a | red | 2px}}" | Period | a | red | 2px}}" | Matches | a | red | 2px}}" | Wins | a | red | 2px}}" | Draws | a | red | 2px}}" | Losses | a | red | 2px}}" | Winning % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFG Abdul Saboor Walizada | 2010–2013 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| AFG Faqir Zada | 2014 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| AFG Amin Amini | 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| USA Kelly Lindsey | 2016–2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| AFG Ali Jawad Ataiee | 2018–2021 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | % |
Competitive record
FIFA Women's World Cup
| a | red | 2px}}" | FIFA Women's World Cup record | a | red | 2px}}" | Qualification record | a | red | 2px}}" | Year | a | red | 2px}}" | Round | a | red | 2px}}" | Position | a | red | 2px}}" | Pld | a | red | 2px}}" | W | a | red | 2px}}" | D | a | red | 2px}}" | L | a | red | 2px}}" | GF | a | red | 2px}}" | GA | a | red | 2px}}" | Pld | a | red | 2px}}" | W | a | red | 2px}}" | D | a | red | 2px}}" | L | a | red | 2px}}" | GF | a | red | 2px}}" | GA | a | red | 2px}}" | Total | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | 0/10 | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China 1991 to China 2007 | Did not exist | Did not exist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Germany 2011 to France 2019 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia New Zealand 2023 | Withdrew from qualification | Via AFC Women's Asian Cup |
Summer Olympics
| a | red | 2px}}" | Summer Olympics record | a | red | 2px}}" | Qualification record | a | red | 2px}}" | Year | a | red | 2px}}" | Round | a | red | 2px}}" | Position | a | red | 2px}}" | Pld | a | red | 2px}}" | W | a | red | 2px}}" | D | a | red | 2px}}" | L | a | red | 2px}}" | GF | a | red | 2px}}" | GA | a | red | 2px}}" | Pld | a | red | 2px}}" | W | a | red | 2px}}" | D | a | red | 2px}}" | L | a | red | 2px}}" | GF | a | red | 2px}}" | GA | a | red | 2px}}" | Total | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | 0/8 | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States 1996 to China 2008 | Did not exist | Did not exist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom 2012 to Japan 2020 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| France 2024 | Withdrew from qualification | Withdrew | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States 2028 | Did not enter | Did not enter |
AFC Women's Asian Cup
| a | red | 2px}}" | AFC Women's Asian Cup record | a | red | 2px}}" | Qualification record | a | red | 2px}}" | Year | a | red | 2px}}" | Round | a | red | 2px}}" | Position | a | red | 2px}}" | Pld | a | red | 2px}}" | W | a | red | 2px}}" | D | a | red | 2px}}" | L | a | red | 2px}}" | GF | a | red | 2px}}" | GA | a | red | 2px}}" | Pld | a | red | 2px}}" | W | a | red | 2px}}" | D | a | red | 2px}}" | L | a | red | 2px}}" | GF | a | red | 2px}}" | GA | a | red | 2px}}" | Total | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | 0/21 | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — | a | red | 2px}}" | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong 1975 to China 2010 | Did not exist | Did not exist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vietnam 2014 to Jordan 2018 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| India 2022 | Withdrew from qualification | Withdrew | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia 2026 | Did not enter | Did not enter |
CAFA Women's Championship
| a | red | 2px}}" colspan=12 | CAFA Women's Championship record | a | red | 2px}}" | Year | a | red | 2px}}" | Result | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | GP | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | W | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | D* | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | L | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | GS | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | GA | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | GD | Total | 1/2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 32 | −32 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan 2018 | Group stage | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 32 | −32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tajikistan 2022 | Did not enter |
:*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
SAFF Women's Championship
| a | red | 2px}}" colspan=12 | SAFF Women's Championship record | a | red | 2px}}" | Year | a | red | 2px}}" | Result | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | GP | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | W | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | D* | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | L | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | GS | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | GA | a | red | 2px}}" width=20 | GD | Total | 4/7 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 67 | −57 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh 2010 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 18 | −16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sri Lanka 2012 | Semi-final | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 19 | −13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pakistan 2014 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 19 | −18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| India 2016 | Group stage | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11 | −10 |
:*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Head-to-head record
| a | red | 2px}}" | Opponent | a | red | 2px}}" | Pld | a | red | 2px}}" | W | a | red | 2px}}" | D | a | red | 2px}}" | L | a | red | 2px}}" | GF | a | red | 2px}}" | GA | a | red | 2px}}" | GD | a | red | 2px}}" | W% | a | red | 2px}}" | Confederation | a | red | 2px}}" | Total | a | red | 2px}}" | 22 | a | red | 2px}}" | 3 | a | red | 2px}}" | 2 | a | red | 2px}}" | 17 | a | red | 2px}}" | 13 | a | red | 2px}}" | 117 | a | red | 2px}}" | −104 | a | red | 2px}}" | 13,63 | a | red | 2px}}" | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 12 | −13 | 0 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 28 | −27 | 0 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 0 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | −11 | 0 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | UEFA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 0 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 20 | −19 | 0 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 50 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 50 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 | AFC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | −20 | 0 | AFC |
References
References
- "Afghanistan: Fixtures and Results". FIFA.
- Marzban, Omid. (2007-09-13). "Afghanistan: Once Whipped By Taliban, Girl Makes Mark As Soccer Star". Rferl.org.
- (18 July 2010). "The Afghan national {{as written". YouTube.
- Nick Paton Walsh. (8 June 2011). "Afghan women footballers risk death threats, disapproval". CNN.
- (17 November 2010). "Women's football in Afghanistan". BBC News.
- (9 December 2010). "For a Women's Soccer Team, Competing Is a Victory". [[The New York Times]].
- (5 December 2011). "NATO in Afghanistan – The Afghan ladies national football team". YouTube.
- (February 2008). "Bend It in Baden-Württemberg: Afghan Women Footballers Hone Their Skills in Stuttgart – SPIEGEL ONLINE". Spiegel.de.
- Johannsen, Alissa. (26 July 2011). "Afghanistan Women: Kicking and Dreaming".
- "How European nations helped Afghanistan women hone their football skills".
- (15 March 2017). "Khalida Popal, Afghanistan football pioneer: 'If the haters couldn't stop me, Trump can't'". The Guardian.
- (1 December 2018). "Afghan authorities probe allegations of abuse in women's soccer team". Reuters.
- (30 November 2018). "Fifa examining claims of sexual and physical abuse on Afghanistan women's team". The Guardian.
- "Afghan refugee team to play in FIFA Unites Women's Series soccer tournament". USA Today.
- (21 March 2023). "Afghanistan: the national women's football team that isn't". Deutsche Welle.
- (24 July 2023). "Afghanistan women's team representing a country that doesn't recognise them". BBC Sport.
- (August 18, 2021). "Former Afghan women's captain tells players to burn kits, delete photos".
- (25 August 2021). "Afghan women footballers removed from danger and taken to Australia". Sky Sports.
- (23 July 2024). "Exiled Afghanistan women's national team say FIFA's rules hinder participation after Taliban's return to power". CBS Sports.
- (25 July 2023). "Afghanistan women's team in exile wants FIFA recognition". ESPN.com.
- (18 March 2022). "Afghanistan Women's National Team to play in Victorian leagues". ESPN.
- "Fixture For Women's State League 4 West – GameDay".
- (19 November 2021). "Kim Kardashian and Leeds United help Afghan junior women's football team arrive in UK after escaping Taliban". Sky Sports.
- (22 May 2022). "Afghanistan Women's Development team to play in Surrey". SheKicks.
- (9 May 2025). "FIFA sanctions creation of Afghanistan women's refugee team". The New York Times.
- (10 May 2025). "FIFA OKs creation of Afghanistan women's refugee team".
- (25 July 2025). "FIFA announces first coach of Afghan women's refugee team". ABC News.
- (22 November 2025). "Afghan women's football team's international comeback defies Taliban ban". ABC News.
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