Former Afghan women's soccer captain fights for team's chance to compete in World Cup
'I still want to fight [till] the last minute to get players access to the world stages,' says Khalida Popal
Khalida Popal, the former captain of Afghanistan's national women's football team, is making a call to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to allow Afghan women to participate in the 2027 Women's World Cup.
"It has been more than three years that I've been sending emails with the support of different organizations, to get [a] response from FIFA, to get FIFA on board, to collaborate with us," Popal told As It Happens host Nil Köksal.
Football's world governing body requires the Afghanistan women's national football team to receive recognition from the Taliban controlled Afghanistan Football Federation in order to participate.
But under the Taliban's oppressive regime, this is not possible, says Popal, who founded the team and now acts as its program and event director.
If FIFA does not revise its regulations, the team will miss out on the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers draw, happening March 27, which feeds into qualification for the upcoming World Cup.
It'll mark the second time they've missed the opportunity to join the World Cup qualifying cycle since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
Following advocacy by players and allies, FIFA did send a letter on March 21 to the Sports & Rights Alliance, a human rights coalition that has been advocating for the team's recognition.
Popal says she draws some hope from FIFA's letter because it mentioned developing a plan to offer football opportunities for Afghan women both inside and outside the country.
But it did not specify whether FIFA intends to officially recognize the team or how the funding would be distributed.
Another barrier they're facing for the women's team to play in the Asian Cup Qualifiers, is FIFA's concern that the games are played in countries that are not safe for Afghan women, says Popal.
Popal, who stopped playing in 2011 to focus on coordinating the team as a director at the Afghanistan Football Association, says she hopes they can still qualify for the World Cup through a wild card that will give them exceptional access.
Exiled from Afghanistan
After Afghanistan was seized by the Taliban, the regime imposed decrees that severely restricted the rights of women and girls.
Girls over the age of 12 have been banned from receiving an education, and women are prohibited from participating in any sports.
Popal was forced to seek asylum in Denmark in 2016 after receiving threats to her life, and she also assisted dozens of others in escaping.
She says there are now hundreds of Afghan women football players of all ages who are dispersed around the world after escaping persecution.
Even as they work to rebuild their lives in exile abroad, Popal says they remain ready and eager for the opportunity to represent Afghanistan on the international stage.
More than football
Popal says having Afghan women compete in FIFA is about more than just asserting their right to play football.
It's a way for Afghan women to ensure the plights they're facing are not forgotten by the world.
"For us, football is our tool. It's our power," said Popal.
She says it gives them the platform to share how the Tablian is "erasing women from the society."
As well, if they are able to play on the world stage, it will send a message of hope for Afghan women in Afghanistan.
"You are not forgotten. You are seen and you are heard," Popal said.
That motivates Popal to continue her advocacy.
"I don't want to lose hope. I don't want to be pessimistic about it. I still want to fight [till] the last minute."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Interview with Khalida Popal produced by Sarah Jackson