UAE to Host FIFA Unites: Women’s Series, Featuring Afghan Women's Refugee Team

The United Arab Emirates is gearing up for a historic moment in women’s football: between October 23 and 29, the country will host a four-team international tournament, giving the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team its first chance in nearly four years to compete on the world stage. 

Officially known as the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series, the tournament also features national sides from Chad and Libya, forming a round-robin competition in which each team plays three matches.  

The format provides not only sporting competition but also a powerful message about inclusion, opportunity, and resilience.

The return of the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team carries profound significance. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, strict policies have curtailed women’s public life — including bans on education, public presence without full covering, restrictions on travel without a male guardian, and prohibitions on sports participation.

Through this tournament, FIFA aims to reinforce the principle that every woman and girl has the right to play, dream, and thrive through football. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that these matches are more than just games — they “represent a symbol of hope and progress” for girls and women globally. He also thanked the UAE Football Association for hosting what he called a “historic event” that places the Afghan players in the international spotlight. 

The Afghan refugee squad itself was assembled through extensive selection efforts. Over 70 hopefuls attended camps in Sydney and London, competing for 23 roster spots.  

Coached by former Scotland international Pauline Hamill, the team benefited from collaboration between FIFA and Afghan women’s rights advocate Khalida Popal. 

By hosting this tournament, the UAE is not only showcasing its growing engagement with international women’s sport but also signaling support for refugees and displaced athletes whose opportunities are often constrained by conflict and political shifts. The event bridges sport and diplomacy, shining a global spotlight on female refugee athletes and reinforcing calls for inclusive, equitable access to sport.

As the October dates approach, attention will focus not only on wins and losses, but on the broader impact: the stories of these women, the messages their presence sends, and whether such initiatives can inspire further opportunities for women and girls from marginalized and conflict-affected regions.