FIFA Relocates Women's Series to Morocco After Afghan Refugee Team Denied UAE Visas

FIFA has relocated the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025 tournament from the United Arab Emirates to Morocco after Afghan Women United, the Afghanistan women's refugee football team, was denied visas by the UAE, disrupting their planned debut. The refugee team, formed after the Taliban banned women's sports in Afghanistan in 2021, comprises players now living across countries including Australia, the UK, Portugal, and Italy. FIFA expressed their commitment to the players' wellbeing, providing trauma support and safeguarding measures, and praised Morocco's football federation for hosting the event on short notice. The tournament, originally scheduled for October 23-29, will now commence on October 26 and feature national teams from Chad, Libya, Tunisia, and the Afghan refugee team. Afghan Women United's participation marks a significant moment as it represents the resilience of Afghan women athletes who have been barred from playing in their home country. FIFA continues to support Afghan women's football within its 2025 Action Strategy, despite the ongoing challenges posed by the political situation in Afghanistan.