news-engine

Afghanistan women’s national team in exile trains in Wolfsburg at Volkswagen’s invitation. A special training camp for a team that, in theory, should not be allowed to exist: Afghanistan’s women’s national football team, which is banned in its homeland, is spending a week training in Wolfsburg under professional conditions. At the invitation of Volkswagen and with organisational support from VfL Wolfsburg, the team, made up entirely of women who have fled Afghanistan, is preparing for its first international match since being officially readmitted by FIFA. It was a historic decision: for the first time, world football’s governing body allowed a national team to play without the approval of its home association. Fleeing to Europe When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, many girls and women suddenly lost the opportunity to take part in sport. The players in Afghanistan’s women’s national teams were also affected. With women banned from playing football and facing severe punishment for doing so, numerous players were forced to leave their homeland at great personal risk and flee into exile. Today, the senior internationals and young talents live across various European countries, including Portugal, the UK, Germany and several Scandinavian nations. Despite the geographical distance between them, they remain united by their shared dream of one day being able to represent their country on the football pitch again. A historic decision An important milestone on that journey was reached just a few months ago: following years of campaigning by Khalida Popal, founder of the Girl Power organisation and former captain of Afghanistan’s women’s national team, FIFA for the first time approved the recognition of an Afghan women’s team without the consent of the national association. It was a historic decision that has opened up new opportunities for the players. The team’s first official international match is expected to take place as early as this autumn. “Change comes through continuity” The upcoming training camp in Wolfsburg is intended to make an important contribution on that journey. Following its inaugural edition around last year’s UEFA Women’s EURO in Switzerland, Volkswagen is supporting the Girl Power Summer Camp for the second time, underlining its commitment to long-term social engagement. Gerd Voss, Head of Sports Communications at Volkswagen: “The Girl Power Summer Camp is a powerful demonstration of what football can achieve. The values this project represents – solidarity, diversity, respect and the opportunity to participate – are also values that Volkswagen has firmly embedded in its corporate culture. Supporting the camp for the second time reflects our commitment to pursuing social engagement over the long term and in a sustainable way. Because real change does not come from isolated initiatives, but through continuity.” To prepare for this new challenge, the players are in Wolfsburg this week for the Girl Power Summer Camp. At Volkswagen’s invitation and with support from VfL Wolfsburg, they are taking part in a training camp under professional conditions. Coaches from VfL’s youth set-up are overseeing the sessions and sharing their expertise. For many of the participants, it is the first opportunity to prepare together for sporting challenges in such a professional environment. Training with Almuth Schult One of the camp’s special highlights is a joint training session with Almuth Schult. The former Germany goalkeeper and long-serving VfL player is sharing her experience from top-level international football directly with the participants. Fatime, one of the team’s players, says: “It’s just amazing. I forget everything negative when I play football. I’m happy to be here.” Football creates visibility Following the training session, attention turns to the significance of the project beyond sport. In a joint media discussion, Khalida Popal, Almuth Schult and VfL managing director Dieter Hecking discuss the social power of football and the importance of visibility, participation and women’s rights for the players. Popal says: “We use football as a platform to make women and girls visible, strengthen their rights and stand up for their full participation in society.” Schult adds: “This is about far more than football. This project gives girls and women visibility, empowers them to follow their own path with courage and confidence, and shows what is possible when they are given the opportunity to participate.”