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Afghanistan women: Fifa rule changes allows return to international competition

Published

3 months ago

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It means Afghan players will be able to represent their country in official matches with full recognition.

“Our team has always been known as an activist team,” Popal told Reuters.

“But this opportunity, with the right support from Fifa, will be the time for us to also show some skills and develop the youth talent in the diaspora.

“I know it’s going to be tough because Afghan women inside Afghanistan will struggle to be part of that.

“But if we can still be the voice for them to send out hope messages and show them our support that you are not forgotten, then we will continue to use our platform.”

Fifa’s decision builds on the formation of Afghan Women United, a refugee team sanctioned and supported by Fifa for a one-year pilot in May 2025 after several years of lobbying by the country’s displaced players.

Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, but they could compete in qualifying for the 2028 Olympics and are expected to return to action in June.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino said: “We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United and, with this initiative, we aim to enable them, as well as other Fifa member associations that ⁠may not be able to register a national or representative team for a Fifa competition, to make the next step.”

There are more than 80 Afghan female footballers in Australia, Europe, USA and the Middle East, including many of the 25 players under contract before the Taliban’s takeover.

Regional selection camps, hosted by Fifa, are taking place in England and Australia before a training camp in New Zealand in June.

Afghan United Women played three matches in 2025 as part of the Fifa United Women’s Series, with their first win coming against Libya in November.

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How to watch Mets vs. Pirates: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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2 minutes ago

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August 9, 2026

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The New York Mets will look to Marcus Semien, currently on a two-game homer streak, versus the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, at PNC Park. Bubba Chandler (4-8, 4.49 ERA) gets the start for the Pirates, who are 57-61 this season and fifth in the NL Central. Robert Stock (0-1, 1.80 ERA) is expected to start for the Mets, who are 51-66 and fifth in the NL East.

How to watch New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Mets vs. Pirates odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Pirates -118
  • Underdog Moneyline: Mets -102
  • Total: 9
  • Total Over Odds: -118
  • Total Under Odds: -102

Injury reports

Pirates

Ryan O’Hearn: 10 Day IL (Quadricep), Mitch Keller: 60 Day IL (Arm), Oneil Cruz: 60 Day IL (Hand), Konnor Griffin: 60 Day IL (Finger)

Mets

Mark Vientos: 10 Day IL (Hand), Juan Soto: 10 Day IL (Calf), Austin Warren: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Cionel Perez: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Tylor Megill: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Justin Hagenman: 60 Day IL (Rib), Reed Garrett: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Carson Benge: day-to-day (Wrist)

Stats to know

  • Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds has hit 15 home runs this season. He has also tallied 63 RBIs and has scored 78 runs. In 514 plate appearances, he has recorded a .267 BA, .377 OBP and .442 SLG with a 13.6% walk rate and a 24.5% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording seven steals on seven attempts.
  • In 485 plate appearances, Brandon Lowe has hit 24 long balls (16th in MLB), tallied 73 RBIs (10th in MLB) and scored 70 runs (19th in MLB). He is batting .254/.320/.483 and has posted a 27.8% strikeout rate and an 8.9% walk rate.
  • Carson Benge has hit 13 home runs this season. He has also tallied 46 RBIs and has scored 61 runs. In 461 plate appearances, he has recorded a .270 BA, .330 OBP and .412 SLG with a 7.2% walk rate and a 21.9% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording 18 steals on 21 attempts.
  • In 503 plate appearances, Bo Bichette has hit 11 long balls, tallied 56 RBIs and scored 54 runs. He is batting .256/.300/.369 and has posted an 18.5% strikeout rate and a 6% walk rate.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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How to watch Cubs vs. Royals: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

Published

9 minutes ago

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August 9, 2026

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The Chicago Cubs aim to add to their five-game winning streak when they meet the Kansas City Royals on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET, at Kauffman Stadium. Clay Holmes (4-4, 2.39 ERA) gets the start for the Cubs, who are 68-49 this season and second in the NL Central. Seth Lugo (4-7, 4.41 ERA) is expected to start for the Royals, who are 48-69 and fifth in the AL Central.

How to watch Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals

Cubs vs. Royals odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Cubs -175
  • Underdog Moneyline: Royals +145
  • Total: 9
  • Total Over Odds: -115
  • Total Under Odds: -105

Injury reports

Cubs

Matt Shaw: 10 Day IL (Hand), Daniel Palencia: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Hoby Milner: 15 Day IL (Appendicitis), Gavin Hollowell: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Phil Maton: 15 Day IL (Knee), Ethan Roberts: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Edward Cabrera: 15 Day IL (Hamstring), Riley Martin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Porter Hodge: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Clay Holmes: 60 Day IL (Fibula), Justin Steele: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Shelby Miller: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Hunter Harvey: 60 Day IL (Tricep), Cade Horton: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Christopher Austin: 60 Day IL (Knee), Ben Brown: 60 Day IL (Neck)

Royals

Vinnie Pasquantino: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Maikel Garcia: 10 Day IL (Hand), Beck Way: 15 Day IL (Back), Jonathan India: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Cole Ragans: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Luinder Avila: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Alec Marsh: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Carlos Estévez: 60 Day IL (Foot), Nick Mears: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Stephen Kolek: 60 Day IL (Flexor), Connor Seabold: 60 Day IL (Lat), James McArthur: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Stats to know

  • Pete Crow-Armstrong is hitting for a .289 BA, .388 OBP and .549 SLG with a 26.6% strikeout rate and a 12% walk rate. His OPS is .937, which ranks 3rd in MLB, and he has scored 82 runs. In 516 plate appearances, he has hit 26 home runs (9th in MLB) and driven in 70 runs (17th in MLB). Crow-Armstrong has been crafty on the base paths, recording 30 steals on 37 attempts.
  • In 507 plate appearances, Nico Hoerner has slashed .257/.318/.359 this season. He has hit seven long balls and driven in 54 runs with a strikeout rate of 8.9% and a walk rate of 7.5%. He has 17 stolen bases on 20 attempts. He has come around to score 48 times.
  • Bobby Witt Jr. is hitting for a .286 BA, .355 OBP and .455 SLG with a 17.2% strikeout rate and a 9.7% walk rate. His OPS is .810 and he has scored 56 runs. In 431 plate appearances, he has hit 13 home runs and driven in 42 runs. Witt has recorded 31 steals on 36 attempts.
  • In 418 plate appearances, Jac Caglianone has hit 18 long balls, tallied 45 RBIs and scored 49 runs. He is batting .256/.311/.456 and has posted a 26.8% strikeout rate and a 6.5% walk rate.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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How to watch Twins vs. Brewers: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

Published

16 minutes ago

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August 9, 2026

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Jackson Chourio carries a two-game homer streak into the Milwaukee Brewers’ game against the Minnesota Twins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, at American Family Field. Robert Gasser (3-4, 4.48 ERA) gets the start for the Brewers, who are 72-44 this season and first in the NL Central. Taj Bradley (9-4, 3.69 ERA) is starting for the Twins, who are 58-59 and second in the AL Central.

How to watch Minnesota Twins vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Twins vs. Brewers odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Brewers -143
  • Underdog Moneyline: Twins +118
  • Total: 8
  • Total Over Odds: -115
  • Total Under Odds: -105

Injury reports

Brewers

Sal Frelick: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), JoJo Romero: 15 Day IL (Appendix), Joel Kuhnel: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Brandon Woodruff: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Rob Zastryzny: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Brian Fitzpatrick: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Angel Zerpa: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Quinn Priester: 60 Day IL (Wrist), Kyle Harrison: day-to-day (Calf)

Twins

Byron Buxton: 10 Day IL (Hip), Joe Ryan: 15 Day IL (Glute), Pablo Lopez: 60 Day IL (Elbow), David Festa: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Cole Sands: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Mike Paredes: 60 Day IL (Oblique), Anthony Banda: 60 Day IL (Lat), Mick Abel: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Stats to know

  • Milwaukee’s Brice Turang has hit 16 home runs this season. He has also tallied 72 RBIs (12th in MLB) and has scored 72 runs. In 499 plate appearances, he has recorded a .268 BA, .362 OBP and .455 SLG with a 12.8% walk rate and a 24.4% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording 15 steals on 18 attempts.
  • In 408 plate appearances, Jake Bauers has hit 20 long balls, tallied 65 RBIs and scored 68 runs. He is batting .268/.373/.499 and has posted a 25.7% strikeout rate and a 13.7% walk rate. Bauers has recorded eight steals on 10 attempts.
  • Brooks Lee is hitting for a .240 BA, .298 OBP and .414 SLG with a 16.4% strikeout rate and a 7.2% walk rate. His OPS is .712 and he has scored 51 runs. In 444 plate appearances, he has hit 16 home runs and driven in 60 runs. Lee has recorded seven steals on 11 attempts.
  • In 451 plate appearances, Josh Bell has posted a 21.5% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate while slashing .252/.313/.425 with 15 home runs, 68 RBIs and 57 runs scored.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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