FIFA to host historic Women’s Series in UAE featuring Afghanistan Refugee Team, Chad, and Libya

Women’s football is set to reach another milestone next month as FIFA launches the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series, a groundbreaking four-nation friendly competition to be staged in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 23 to 29 October 2025.

The historic tournament will feature the Afghan women’s refugee team in their first-ever international outing, alongside the national teams of Chad, Libya, and the host nation, the United Arab Emirates.

All four sides will compete in a round-robin format, with the team finishing top of the standings crowned winners.

The Afghan squad’s participation marks a symbolic breakthrough, highlighting FIFA’s continued efforts to protect and promote the right of women and girls to play football.

The initiative follows the federation’s earlier talent identification camp for Afghan players in Sydney, Australia, which laid the groundwork for their integration into international football.

This tournament represents a unique opportunity for Chad and Libya to test themselves on the global stage, with ambitions to make their debuts in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking.

Meanwhile, the UAE, led by highly respected Dutch coach Vera Pauw, will aim to build on recent progress in women’s football and make home advantage count.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the competition as a symbol of inclusion and progress.

“These friendly matches represent more than just a competition; they are a symbol of hope and progress for women all over the world,” he said, thanking the UAE Football Association for hosting the historic event.

The tournament will run during the official Women’s International Match Calendar window, ensuring strong visibility.

Importantly, all matches will be streamed live on FIFA+, offering a global platform for players to showcase their talents.

This initiative reinforces FIFA’s commitment to creating pathways for women’s football, particularly in regions where access to the sport remains challenging, and could serve as an inspiration for other nations across Africa and beyond.