Skip to Content

Afghanistan girls soccer team given asylum in Portugal

KTVZ

By ALEX SANZ
Associated Press

For weeks, the Afghanistan national girls soccer team had been waiting for word they could leave. On Sunday, the message finally came. The girls and their families boarded a charter flight from Afghanistan to Portugal, which has granted them asylum. Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the girls, ages 14-16, and their families, had been trying to leave. They feared what their lives might become like under the Taliban, who forbid women and girls from playing sports. All of the girls say they hope to one day become professional soccer players as adults.

Article Topic Follows: AP National Sports

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content