Morocco to Host FIFA Women’s Series Championship After UAE Denies Visa to Afghan Players
FIFA has decided to relocate the “FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025” championship to Morocco, after the Afghan refugee team faced refusal from UAE authorities for player visas.
The tournament, aimed at promoting women’s football and encouraging female participation in sports, is set to kick off on Sunday, October 26, with teams from Chad, Tunisia, Libya, and the FIFA-supported “Afghan Women United.”
The sudden change in the host country has added extra pressure on teams and organizers, with only a few days left to prepare following the rescheduling of the opening from October 23 to October 26.
FIFA stated that it “appreciates the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s cooperation and its quick response to host the championship,” noting that Morocco is providing all necessary conditions for a successful event.
The return of the Afghan women’s team to the international arena after more than seven years of absence represents a symbolic moment in the journey of women’s sports, particularly after the restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women’s participation in sports since 2021.
FIFA confirmed that all matches will be streamed live on its official platform, in a new step to broaden the global presence of women’s football.
