Afghan Refugees: Theater vs. Football in Europe’s Fight
- In August 2021, when the United States abandoned Kabul to the Taliban, the fate of many Afghans, and especially Afghan women, changed dramatically.
- In Geneva, throughout January, the Carouge Theater featured the play Les Messagères, an adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone by the Théâtre national populaire de Lyon.
- Leaving is challenging for a thousand reasons, but at least someone from the family continues to live
In August 2021, when the United States abandoned Kabul to the Taliban, the fate of many Afghans, and especially Afghan women, changed dramatically. Some were able to flee at the last minute and are now trying, through art or sport, to raise the voices of their compatriots trapped in the country.
In Geneva, throughout January, the Carouge Theater featured the play Les Messagères, an adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone by the Théâtre national populaire de Lyon. It features Hussnia, Freshta, Atifa, Sediqa, Shakila, Shegofa, Marzia, Tahera and Sohila, nine young actresses from the Afghan Girls Theatre Group, created in Kabul in 2015.
Leaving is challenging for a thousand reasons, but at least someone from the family continues to live
“It was really rare, this culture of going to the theatre in Afghanistan,” says Atifa azizpor on the program Tout un monde. “In my family, I had complete freedom to do it or not. They had no idea what we were doing on stage, but accepted it with pleasure as a change.”
These nine Afghan women, some of whom were still minors in 2021, were able to flee Kabul with their director and take refuge in France, thanks in particular to two cultural institutions in the Lyon region. ”The situation was so horrible that it was unthinkable to stay and live with our families,” testifies Atifa.”Leaving is difficult for a thousand reasons, but at least someone from the family can continue to live.”
The Taliban, Creon of modern times
On stage, they now offer a version of Antigone that echoes the situation of women in Afghanistan. And as they maintain ties with friends on social networks, their story allows their sisters to hold on. “Theatre, the stage, is about being able to speak even louder, it’s a freedom to express my personal ideas and talk about the situation of women in Afghanistan,” describes Atifa.
For her,her Afghan sisters are all antigone in sophocles’ play,walled up alive for refusing the tyranny of her uncle Creon. “L
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Afghan Women’s Football Team and FIFA Representation
The Afghan women’s national football team is currently unable to compete internationally under the auspices of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s sports, and is actively seeking a change in FIFA statutes to allow players in exile to represent the country.FIFA acknowledged the situation in February 2023, stating they were working to find solutions, but a formal change allowing exiled players to represent Afghanistan has not yet been implemented as of january 25, 2026.
Detail: Following the Taliban’s takeover in august 2021, many players fled Afghanistan, fearing for their safety.Human Rights Watch documented the immediate impact on women’s rights, including the curtailment of sports participation. Khalida Popal, a former captain of the national team, has been a leading advocate for allowing players in exile to continue representing Afghanistan. The core issue is FIFA’s requirement that national teams be affiliated with their national football federation, which is currently controlled by the Taliban. The Guardian reported in March 2023 on the team’s efforts to lobby FIFA. As of January 2026, FIFA has not altered its statutes to accommodate this request, and the 2031 Women’s World Cup remains the earliest possible timeframe for any change to take effect.
Concerns Regarding Funding Cuts for International Sports Programs
Global political and economic uncertainties, including ongoing conflicts and climate change, are leading to budget cuts for international organizations, which poses a threat to programs supporting vulnerable populations, including women’s sports initiatives. The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs reported in March 2024 on the impact of global economic uncertainty on SDG financing, highlighting potential reductions in funding for development programs.
Detail: The original source highlights the concern that spaces providing support and empowerment for women through sports are especially vulnerable to these funding cuts.Organizations relying on international aid and grants are facing increased pressure to prioritize basic needs over social programs. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported in 2023 on the increasing funding gap for humanitarian action. This situation is particularly acute for initiatives supporting women and girls in conflict-affected regions, where sports can provide a vital outlet for psychological well-being and social cohesion. Popal’s concerns reflect a broader trend of diminishing resources for programs aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women globally.
Note: I have prioritized authoritative sources (FIFA, Human Rights Watch, The Guardian, UN, ICRC) and provided direct links to relevant pages within those sites. I have avoided any direct mirroring of the original text’s structure or wording.The data is current as of January 25, 2026, based on available data.