Afghan refugee team to compete in historic FIFA tournament | OneFootball

The newly-created Afghan women’s refugee team will be part of a historic four-team tournament next month.

The FIFA Unites: Women’s Series will take place in Dubai next month, between Thursday, 23th October and Wednesday, 29th October.

A media statement says that the event will reinforce “FIFA’s efforts to promote and protect the right of all women and girls to play the sport, pursue their footballing dreams and thrive through the game.”

It will be the first competitive match for the Afghan women’s refugee team, which was created earlier in the year following talent identification camps led by their head coach Pauline Hamill, a former Scotland international.

They will face the national teams of Chad, Libya and the United Arab Emirates. Chad and Libya are both currently unranked; the UAE are coached by Vera Pauw, the former Ireland head coach.

The event will be organised in a round-robin format, with each team playing three matches.

“Ensuring that all women have access to football is a priority for FIFA and a key element in shaping the future of our sport,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“We are aware of the potential the game has both on and off the pitch. These friendly matches represent more than just a competition; they are a symbol of hope and progress for women all over the world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are contributing to this event, including the United Arab Emirates Football Association for hosting a historic event that puts the players in the international spotlight.”

The creation of the Afghan women’s refugee team

FIFA approved the creation of the Afghan women’s refugee team earlier this year, appointing Hamill in July.

“Every player involved has a story to tell about their personal journey in football, and it’s incredible to be part of something that shows them that their dream and ambitions in football still exist,” Hamill said at the time.

“They’ve had to leave their country, they’ve been displaced as refugees, and now all of a sudden there’s this amazing opportunity to come together in this project. It feels bigger and deeper than anything I’ve done before, and that really excites me.”

Since then, Hamill and her staff have run a camp in Sydney, Australia, and more recently two camps at St George’s Park, the headquarters of English football.

Twenty-three players will be selected for the initial matches, and FIFA have promised support for all players who attended the trials, which could include safeguarding help, educational access, and help in identifying further opportunities in football, whether that is connections with club or assistance in achieving coaching or refereeing qualifications.