'Never lose hope': how a new Afghanistan women's team helps refugees cope with trauma

[Gentle Goose]

A Newfound Purpose on the Pitch for Afghanistan's Footballers in Exile

On a sun-kissed field in Casablanca, Morocco, 25-year-old Fatima Haidari felt a sense of liberation wash over her as she stepped onto the pitch with her teammates from Afghan Women United. For this young captain, football was more than just a game – it was a way to cope with the traumas of her past and fight for a better future.

Hailing from a country where women's rights have been brutally suppressed under the Taliban regime, Haidari's journey is one of resilience and determination. As a player on the newly formed team, she found solace in the camaraderie and sense of purpose that came with training and competing alongside her fellow Afghan refugees.

The team was founded by FIFA as part of a three-pronged strategy to support women and girls in Afghanistan, engaging in diplomatic efforts to advocate for their right to participate in sports, providing opportunities for those who have escaped Taliban brutality, and resettling them abroad. For Haidari and her teammates, this new chapter marked a chance to not only reclaim their love of football but also to reassert their identities as Afghan women.

On the field, Haidari's emotions swirled as she recounted her experiences with playing against teams from countries like Chad and Tunisia. The contrast between the team's struggles and the opposing sides' relative ease was striking. "You feel the heaviness on your heart, on your body, on your mind," Haidari said, "but then you get to exhibit what you're about and who you are through your play, your game."

The Afghan Women United project is a year-long pilot that has already yielded significant results. Despite facing challenges in its setup, including visa rejections and reduced pre-tournament training opportunities, the team emerged with a 7-0 victory over Libya, sending a powerful message to fans both within Afghanistan and abroad.

According to FIFA's Chief Women's Football Officer Dame Sarai-Paea Bareman, the project aims to "give these women their voices back" – an endeavor that has resonated deeply with players like Haidari. Bareman recalled watching the match from afar, overcome with emotion as she celebrated what felt surreal and momentous.

The team's journey highlights the complex web of challenges faced by Afghan refugee women. While struggling to rebuild their lives in Italy, they are simultaneously working, studying, and contributing to society – a testament to the strength of Afghan women.

For Haidari, who still grapples with nightmares stemming from her evacuation and leaving behind family, playing football has been an exercise in mental fortitude. "I left my culture, my home, and my family behind for a reason," she said, determined to use her platform to advocate for Afghan women's rights.

As the project moves forward, its focus will shift toward providing ongoing support for players and opportunities for refereeing or coaching. The ultimate goal is not only to help these remarkable athletes but also to inspire positive change within Afghanistan and the wider football community.

For Haidari, the journey of Afghan Women United is a powerful reminder that "never lose hope" – a message she hopes will resonate with women across her homeland and beyond. As she looks to the future, one thing is certain: this young captain's story will continue to be an inspiration in the fight for freedom and empowerment.

 

[Adv]

can you imagine having your entire identity stolen from you by a regime and then being forced to start all over again? it's like they're trying to erase the very things that make us who we are, and just expect us to pick up where we left off... newsflash: trauma doesn't work that way

and yet, here are these women - Afghan refugee women, fighting for a chance to reclaim their love of football and their sense of purpose. it's like they're saying, 'no, this isn't going to break us'

i think what i love most about the story is how it highlights the complexities of their experiences - the struggles, the triumphs, the emotional scars... it's not just a feel-good story, it's a nuanced exploration of what it means to be a refugee woman in 2025 ‍

and can we talk for a second about the symbolism of football? it's like, this universal language that transcends borders and cultures... but when you're fighting against systems of oppression, it can also feel like a double-edged sword

 

[Spectral Wre]

This is like totally amazing news ! I mean, can you even believe that Afghan women are getting a chance to play football? It's like, such a powerful symbol of female empowerment and resilience . And to think that it's being done by FIFA as part of their initiative to support women in sports... it's just incredible . The story of Fatima Haidari and her team is like, so inspiring . It's not just about the football, it's about the journey of finding hope and freedom after going through such trauma . And I love how FIFA is supporting them beyond just playing matches, with coaching and refereeing opportunities too . This is like, the future of sports is all about equality and inclusivity , and I am SO here for it !

 

[Brain-D]

You know what I think about this news ? It's really beautiful how football has become a way of life for these Afghan women who have been through so much trauma . Like, can you even imagine having to leave your home and family behind due to war and then facing more challenges in a new country? It's heartbreaking .

But what I love about this story is that it shows how sports can bring people together and give them a sense of purpose . These women are not just playing for themselves, but also for their communities and families back home. They're using their platform to advocate for change and fight for their rights .

And I think it's amazing that FIFA is behind this initiative, trying to support these women in any way they can . It's a big step towards promoting equality and inclusion in sports.

I also love how the story highlights the strength and resilience of Afghan women . They're not just survivors, but also thrivers. They're using their experiences to inspire others and create positive change.

Overall, I think this is an incredible story that needs to be shared with more people . It's a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for a better future .

 

[Innocent Iguana]

I gotta say, seeing Fatima Haidari and her teammates play football is like a total breath of fresh air! It's amazing how something as simple as a game can bring so much joy and purpose to these women who've been through so much trauma. I mean, can you imagine having to leave your home, family, and culture behind? For them, football is not just about winning or losing, it's about finding a way to cope and reclaim their identities. That's really powerful .

I also love how FIFA is supporting these women in such a meaningful way, giving them a platform to advocate for themselves and others. It's not just about the game, it's about the message it sends: that Afghan women deserve respect, equality, and opportunities to thrive .

We need more stories like this, you know? Stories that highlight the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity . We should all be cheering these women on and supporting their journey towards a brighter future .

 

[Aggressive Alpaca]

I just saw this thread about the Afghan Women United team and I'm so inspired by Fatima Haidari's story She's such a strong woman, I mean, escaping Taliban brutality and now playing football on the pitch is like, a dream come true for many of us But seriously, it's not just about her, it's about all the women back in Afghanistan who are fighting for their rights and freedom FIFA's project is doing some amazing work, providing opportunities for these women to show off their talents and advocate for themselves What I love most about this story is that it shows that even in the darkest times, there's always hope