The FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025 successfully reached its climax on Saturday in Berrechid, Morocco, with unbeaten Chad atop the four-team table and a historic measure of triumph enjoyed by each of the participating nations.
Among them was Afghanistan, which was represented courageously on the international stage for the first time in nearly four years by Afghan Women United, a squad of resilient athletes established as part of the multi-pillar FIFA Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football.
Selected after three summer trials in Australia and England, Afghan Women United coalesced quickly under an experienced and supportive staff led by head coach Pauline Hamill of Scotland and assistant Shilene Booysen of South Africa. They celebrated their first goal in a tournament-opening loss to Chad and then on Saturday at the Stade Municipal de Berrechid, Afghan Women United made history with a gratifying 7-0 win over Libya.
With three wins in three matches, Chad sealed first place thanks to a gripping 1-0 defeat of Tunisia in Saturday’s finale of the round-robin competition. It could be considered a surprising result on paper – Tunisia are 96th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking and played at both the 2022 and 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, while Chad were unranked at the start of the tournament. But women’s football is growing inexorably, and talent is blooming across new terrain.
The FIFA Unites: Women’s Series wasn’t just about crowning a winner. It was a week-long, six-match celebration of football’s capacity to unite and inspire, not to mention the players’ bravery in pursuing their ambitions. It also was a profound testament to FIFA’s commitment to expanding support, access and competitive opportunities for female footballers around the world. Every team, and every athlete, accomplished something meaningful in Berrechid.
Among those moved by the proceedings was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was a spectator during Round 2. He told Afghan Women United they were at “the beginning of a beautiful, beautiful story that you are writing for yourselves, for your families, for so many girls and women all over the world”.
Indeed, the team comprised of 14 players based in Australia, five from the United Kingdom, and two each from Italy and Portugal, was groundbreaking in every respect. Approved by the FIFA Council in May, Afghan Women United (the name was selected by the players) came together thanks to a holistic, intercontinental plan that involved contributions from an extensive array of experienced staffers and FIFA experts.
During the three week-long identification camps, participants at the selection camps played and trained while having access to counselling, healthcare and safeguarding assistance, workshops on team-building and personal development, as well as help with identifying future opportunities in football. The support provided from FIFA for players were made available even to those who did not make the final squad.
Afghan Women United demonstrated their potential early, taking a fourth-minute lead over Chad in their tournament opener with a goal from Manozh Noori. They gelled throughout the week and exited on a high, leaving Berrechid with bronze medals, as accomplished members of the global football family, and as inspirations for those who hope to follow.