New Delhi: Afghanistan‘s exiled women footballers are dreaming of playing in Olympics after FIFA approved their return to international participation.

At its council meeting in Vancouver on Wednesday, FIFA gave nod to a rule change to allow those Afghan women’s players who have fled the Taliban rule in their country to represent them in official matches.

It follows FIFA’s efforts of forming an Afghan Women United team last year for players living outside their homeland.

Among the many Afghan women players who are based away and is overjoyed at the development is goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing Afghanistan in our hearts,” the Melbourne-based 24-year-old told Reuters.

“And now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

Most of the 25 women players who were under contract before Taliban’s takeover in 2021, now live in Australia and though Afghanistan won’t be eligible to qualify for next year’s World Cup, they could still compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualifiers.

A selection process is currently underway with FIFA organising regional camps in England and Australia for the Afghan Women United team.

“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team. So hopefully we will make that,” said Yousufi, who plays her club football for South Melbourne FC.

Women sports have suffered the most in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule, with Yousufi among many to be hurriedly evacuated with the help of Australian government.

“Even our identity, we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.

“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it out here and today we’re playing.”

Adjusting to life in Australia has been demanding but footballing ambitions burn bright, particularly after FIFA’s decision.

“In Afghanistan, I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.

“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”