I was lost but football gave me strength': Afghan women refugees on their fight for recognition

"I felt quite lost, says the goalkeeper Elaha Safdari. I didn't know anyone, but little by little football gave me the strength and power to start again, to start from zero, to build, to keep going and to keep pushing myself forward. It is four years since a 17-year-old Safdari arrived in England, part of the Afghanistan women's development team evacuated first to Pakistan then to the UK after the US withdrawal of troops and the concession of power to the Taliban."

"Nazia Ali, a strong, fast and physical midfielder for the senior Afghanistan side who was evacuated to Australia, also as a minor, credits football with saving her life. Football is my freedom, she says. When I play it gives me hope. Safdari's and Ali's paths have taken them to different sides of the world, but football is the constant, the former recently re-signing for Rotherham and the latter playing for Box Hill United in Melbourne while they study. Ali was five when her father was murdered by the Taliban and 12 when her mother suffered the same fate. Her mum had been supportive of her playing. They shared a dream, imagining her turning out for the national team. Ali hadn't known what football was until her two older sisters began playing but once she started there was nothing else. After her parents were killed her team were her family and football became her resistance. I kicked the ball as revenge against the Taliban, who took my parents from me, she says. I found my sisterhood and community through football."

Elaha Safdari and Nazia Ali are Afghan footballers evacuated as minors after the US withdrawal and the Taliban takeover. Safdari arrived in England via Pakistan at 17 and credits football with rebuilding confidence, identity, and forward momentum after displacement. Ali was evacuated to Australia and describes football as freedom that provided hope after the Taliban murdered both parents; football became her resistance and chosen family. Both players continue to play while rebuilding lives—Safdari re-signed with Rotherham and Ali plays for Box Hill United while studying—as former exile communities disperse and individuals integrate into new homes.

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