FIFA has relocated its Unites: Women’s Series tournament from the United Arab Emirates to Morocco after the Afghan women’s team was denied visas. The four-team friendly, featuring Afghan Women United, UAE, Chad and Libya, will now begin on Sunday. The event marks the debut for the Afghan team, formed following the 2021 Taliban ban on women's sports.
The FIFA Unites: Women’s Series, a four-team friendly competition, was originally scheduled to run from October 23-29 in Dubai, UAE. However, the tournament has been moved to Morocco due to visa issues for the Afghanistan women’s refugee team, who were denied entry upon arriving at the airport for their flight. Reports indicate that many players were distressed by the experience.
The competing teams are Afghan Women United—formerly known as the Afghanistan women’s refugee team—along with the national women’s teams of the UAE, Chad and Libya. The Afghan team, created after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover banned women’s sports and prompted players to flee fearing persecution, will make its international debut in a round-robin format. Prior to the ban, Afghanistan had 25 women players under contract, most of whom now live in Australia. The country’s men’s team continues to operate normally.
FIFA confirmed the team’s new name, Afghan Women United, following consultations. Head coach Pauline Hamill announced a 23-player squad ahead of the event. “FIFA would like to thank the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF) and looks forward to working together to host a successful tournament,” FIFA stated.
Addressing the visa incident, FIFA emphasized player welfare: “We acknowledge that the circumstances... may have been difficult and had an impact on some players and staff. As has been the case throughout this project so far, the welfare and wellbeing of all players and staff has, and continues to be, the paramount priority to FIFA. We are continuing to work on a daily basis... to ensure they are fully supported on and off the pitch through tailored safeguarding and wellbeing services.”
The first games are now set for Sunday, with one nation to be crowned the inaugural champion.