Afghan Women’s Football Team Secure First International Victory Over Libya

Afghanistan was set to face Nepal in a decisive match on Saturday; however, the fixture was cancelled due to persistent rainfall and unplayable ground conditions. As a result, Afghanistan progressed based on their superior points and net run rate.

The Afghan side had already dominated the group stage, claiming comprehensive victories over the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Oman in their previous three matches. They topped the table with six points and an impressive net run rate of +4.817. Nepal also finished with six points but had a lower net run rate of +3.576, placing them second.

The 2026 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup is scheduled to take place in Namibia and Zimbabwe during the first two months of 2026.

Reactions to the qualification have been overwhelmingly positive. The Taliban spokesperson extended congratulations to Afghanistan's futsal team on their World Cup qualification, declaring it a significant achievement.

Additionally, former officials such as Ashraf Ghani, Abdullah Abdullah, and Atta Mohammad Noor, among others, offered their praises separately, applauding the team for this historic accomplishment.

Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front also expressed his commendation, telling the team members, "After a long time, you have brought joy to the hearts of our suffering people. You are our pride."

Afghan athletes also won the golden belt award and a trophy for the most technical team at the event.

Two teams representing Afghanistan participated in these competitions which concluded on Wednesday.

Mashaal Islamzai (51 kg); Jamil Ibrahimi (60 kg); Arash Ahmadi (57 kg); Yasin Mirzaei (48 kg) and Sayed Jamal Sahar (67 kg) won gold medals in their respective weight categories while Samiullah Alipoor and Reza Rezai secured the silver medals in the weight category of 67 kg and 54 kg respectively.

Apart from them, Shokrullah Yazdani (63.5 kg), Arif Salehi (75 kg), Hasan Sultani (75 kg), and Ali Sina Mohammadi (48 kg) clutched the bronze medals in their respective weight categories.

Afghanistan also managed to secure a gold and a silver medal in women’s competitions.

Iran secured the pole position in the competitions while Iraq placed third.

The competitions were held in Gilan in Iran with the participation of athletes from 13 countries. An Afghan immigrant team won 11 medals from these competitions too.

The Afghan cricket team is currently placed seventh on the points table in the Cricket World Cup Super League.

The top eight teams in the Men's Cricket World Cup Super League standings will automatically qualify for the 2023 World Cup in India.

The 2023 Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be hosted by India in October and November next year.

Afghanistan debuted in Men's ODI World Cups through the 2015 edition of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

The 2019 ODI World Cup in England marked their second appearance in the event, though they were unable to defeat any team.

South Korea's Bae Jun-Seo won the gold medal in the same category while Iran's Mehdi Haji Mousaei bagged the silver.

Rezaee, who is set to represent Afghanistan in the Paris 2024 Olympics, told Afghanistan International that he currently ranks 17 among top world athletes and with his new achievements at the Asian Taekwondo Championships, he may reach the 10th or 12th spot.

In 2021, during the 24th Asian Taekwondo Championship, Rezaee had bagged a gold medal for the first time in Afghanistan sport history.

The 25th Asian Taekwondo Championship is currently ongoing in Chuncheon, South Korea, from June 24–27.