Afghanistan national football team

History

Early history

Afghanistan played its first official international match under FIFA at the 1948 Summer Olympics, where it faced Luxembourg on 26 July and lost 6–0. Before 2002, the last recorded international appearance for the team was in the 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification, where they lost 6–1 to Jordan on 20 September. The team did not participate in international football between 1984 and 2002 due to political instability, including the Soviet invasion, civil war, and Taliban rule, which banned recreational activities such as football.

2001–2010

Following the fall of the Taliban regime, Afghanistan re-entered the international football scene in 2002.

In 2003, the national team competed in the 2003 SAFF Gold Cup, but suffered defeats in all group stage matches against India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Later that year, Afghanistan took part in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, managing a win against Kyrgyzstan but falling short after a loss to Nepal, thus failing to advance. The team also entered the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time, where they were eliminated by Turkmenistan with a 13–0 aggregate score.

In the 2005 SAFF Gold Cup held in Karachi, Pakistan, Afghanistan was defeated by the Maldives. During the inaugural 2006 AFC Challenge Cup, the team earned draws against both Chinese Taipei and the Philippines, with goals from Hafizullah Qadami and Sayed Maqsood Hashemi securing the results.

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, Afghanistan was knocked out by Syria. The team participated in the 2008 SAFF Championship, where they lost to Bhutan and drew with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. However, they managed to top their qualification group for the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup but were eliminated in the final tournament after three consecutive defeats to India, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

In the 2009 SAFF Championship, Afghanistan lost all three group matches—against Maldives, India, and Nepal—with their sole goal of the tournament scored by Hashmatullah Barakzai in a 3–1 loss to the Maldives.

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

Afghanistan entered their third World Cup qualification campaign and faced Palestine in the preliminary round. The first leg was played in Tajikistan due to security concerns and ended in defeat. The second leg in Palestine ended in a 1–1 draw, with Balal Arezou scoring for Afghanistan, resulting in their elimination.

2011 SAFF Championship

In the 2011 SAFF Championship, Afghanistan achieved a dominant 8–1 victory over Bhutan, marking their second-biggest win in history. Balal Arezou scored four goals in that match. Afghanistan advanced to the semi-finals for the first time, defeating Nepal 1–0 after extra time, with Arzou scoring in the 101st minute. In the final, they lost 4–0 to India.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification

Afghanistan progressed from the first round of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification by defeating Bhutan over two legs. In the second round, they were eliminated after losses to Nepal and North Korea, despite a win over Sri Lanka.

2013 SAFF Championship winners

Afghanistan entered the 2013 SAFF Championship as the highest FIFA-ranked team in the tournament, standing at 139th globally. They opened the competition with a dominant 3–0 victory over Bhutan, with goals scored by Amiri—regarded as one of Afghanistan's greatest players—Azadzoy, and Barakzai.

In their second group stage match, they continued their strong form with a 3–1 win over Sri Lanka, thanks to goals from Rafi, Amiri, and Barakzai.

In the semi-finals, Afghanistan faced host nation Nepal and secured a hard-fought 1–0 win, with Sandjar Ahmadi scoring the only goal in the 11th minute.

The final was a rematch of the 2011 edition against India.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170315001050/https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2014/m=5/news=faqiryar-ein-fussball-marchen-a-la-hollywood-2334499-2334671.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 15 March 2017 | access-date = 14 March 2017}} This time, Afghanistan prevailed with a 2–0 victory, claiming their first-ever international football title and marking a historic moment for Afghan football.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170315001312/https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2013/m=10/news=ahmadi-reaping-rewards-for-bravery-2202233.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 15 March 2017 | access-date = 14 March 2017}}

2014 AFC Challenge Cup

Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup but lost 2–0 to eventual champions Palestine. In the third-place match, they drew 1–1 with the Maldives and lost 8–7 in a penalty shootout. On 10 June 2014, the Afghanistan Football Federation moved from the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) to the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA). Later that year, the federation received the FIFA Fair Play Award at the 2014 Ballon d'Or Gala for its efforts to promote football under difficult circumstances.

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

On 9 February 2015, Slaven Skeledžić was appointed as head coach. The team started the qualifiers with a 6–0 loss to Syria but earned its first-ever World Cup qualification victory against Cambodia. After a poor run of results, Skeledžić resigned in October 2015. Peter Segrt took over in November and led the team to another win over Cambodia, 3–0.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170315000749/https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2015/m=2/news=skeledzic-afghan-job-my-greatest-challenge-2532101.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 15 March 2017 | access-date = 14 March 2017}} On 27 April 2015 the AFF signed a contract with a new sponsor called Alokozay Group of Companies.

2015 SAFF Championship

This tournament marked Afghanistan's final appearance in the SAFF Championship before moving to CAFA. The team won all its group stage matches—beating Bangladesh 4–0, Bhutan 3–0, and Maldives 4–1. In the semi-final, they defeated Sri Lanka 5–0. The final was a rematch with India, which Afghanistan lost 2–1 after extra time.

2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Following the SAFF Championship, Afghanistan had a chance to qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup through expanded qualifiers. After a second heavy loss to Japan (5–0), they needed a win over Singapore, which they secured 2–1. The team then played friendlies against Lebanon (lost 2–0) and Malaysia (1–1 draw). In February 2017, Otto Pfister was appointed as head coach. Afghanistan drew 1–1 with Vietnam in the qualifiers, but losses to Cambodia and Jordan ended their qualification hopes. In July 2018, the federation announced a friendly match against Palestine in Kabul—their first home game since 2013.{{cite news | access-date = 12 February 2017 | archive-date = 13 July 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170713164944/http://middleeastpress.com/english/otto-pfister-new-mentor-for-afghanistan-national-football-team/ | url-status = dead

2023 and 2025 CAFA Nations Cup

The 2023 CAFA Nations Cup was the first edition of the CAFA Nations Cup, the biennial international men's football championship of Central Asia organized by the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA). The event was held in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan from 10-20 June. Afghanistan lost both games in Group B to Iran and Kyrgyzstan. Thus, finishing in last place in the tournanemnt.

The 2025 CAFA Nations Cup was the second edition of the CAFA Nations Cup. The event was held in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from 29 August to 8 September. Afghanistan was allocated in Group B and lost their first match against Iran. Their second match is scheduled against Tajikistan on 1 September. Afghanistan's third and final match in Group B is scheduled against India is on 4 September.

Team image

Kit suppliers

Rivalries

Afghanistan shares a sporting rivalry with Pakistan, which extends into football alongside other sports. In earlier decades, regular matches were held between the two national teams. However, diplomatic ties were severed following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, and years of civil war and political unrest prevented any further encounters until their football rivalry resumed in 2003.

Due to the deep historical, cultural, and political ties between the two nations, matches against Pakistan are highly anticipated and passionately followed by Afghan supporters. While the rivalry holds strong emotional significance in Afghanistan, interest in the fixture—and in football in general—tends to be less intense in Pakistan.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Afghanistan national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2024

• Juraboev
• Samiev
• Soirov
• Asekzai

2025

• Gustavsson ,
• Than Paing
• Maung Maung Lwin
• Omid Popalzay
• Omar Al Somah
• Aliyari
• Hosseinzadeh
• Musawi
• Panjshanbe
• Mabatshoyev Report (AFC) Report (AFC)

2026

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Manager history

: :Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were named in the squad for the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup.

• Caps and goals are correct as of 29 August 2025 after the match against Iran.

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection. ;Notes

• INJ = Withdrew due to injury
• PRE = Preliminary squad
• RET = Retired from the national team
• SUS = Serving suspension
• WD = Withdrew due to non-injury related reasons

Individual records

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Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

AFC Asian Cup

Summer Olympics

Asian Games

AFC Challenge Cup (2006–2014)

CAFA Nations Cup

SAFF Championship (2003–2015)

• Afghanistan were members of the South Asian Football Federation between 2005 and 2015. As a result, they did not enter the competition between 1993 and 1999 and have not entered it since 2015.

Honours

Regional

• SAFF Championship
  • [[File:Med 1.png]] Champions (1): 2013
  • [[File:Med 2.png]] Runners-up (2): 2011, 2015
• South Asian Games
  • [[File:Med 2.png]] Silver Medal (1): 2010

Notes

References

References

1. [https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/FTdg8IBY0cjkDi6wegnp4N/The-Lions-of-Afghanistan.html The Lions of Khorasan: Afghanistan national football team] {{Webarchive. link. (12 November 2022 ''Live Mint''. Retrieved 17 April 2021)
2. "History of Afghanistan national football team".
3. "SAFF Championship 2013". SAFF Championship.
4. (2013-09-12). "Afghan Football Veterans, Experts Reflect on Sports' Growth".
5. "South Asian Gold Cup 2005 (Karachi, Pakistan)".
6. "Afghanistan at AFC Challenge Cup 2008 at AFC Website".
7. "South Asian Gold Cup 2009 (Dhaka)".
8. "AFF Signs MoU with Alakozai Group of Companies".
9. "India to host 2015 SAFF Cup".
10. (24 March 2017). "Lions draw positives from defeat". TNP.
11. (28 March 2017). "AFC Asian Cup match: AFG-VIE". AFC.
12. (27 March 2018). "Afghanistan edge Cambodia". AFC.
13. (10 July 2018). "Afghanistan Football Federation introduces new head coach.". AFF.
14. "NEC-trainer Dastgir nieuwe bondscoach van Afghanistan".
15. "Kabul To Host Afghanistan-Palestine Friendly Football Match".
16. "Iran Likely to Meet Russia in 2023 CAFA Championship". Tasnim News Agency.
17. Bezhan, Frud. (21 August 2013). "Historic Soccer Match Brings Unity To Afghanistan". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
18. (2013-08-20). "Kabul fever ahead of Afghan-Pakistan clash".
19. (20 August 2013). "Afghanistan beat Pakistan 3-0 in Kabul friendly". BBC News.
20. (20 August 2013). "Confident Pakistan ready for historic Afghanistan clash". Dawn.
21. "برگی از تاریخ: سفر تیم ملی فوتبال افغانستان به تهران در سال 1328ش | خبرگزاری شیعیان افغانستان | Afghanistan - Shia News Agency".
22. "Home Page | خبرگزاری فارس".
23. [https://wp-de.wikideck.com/Islam_Gul] {{Webarchive. link. (8 June 2022)
24. [https://wp-de.wikideck.com/Sayed_Ahmad_Zia_Muzafari] {{Webarchive. link. (8 June 2022)
25. (8 November 2023). "Manchester United academy graduate lands shock new job in Afghanistan". [[Talksport]].
26. (27 August 2025). "Afghanistan names 23-player squad for 2025 CAFA Nations Cup".
27. "Afghanistan".
28. "Afghanistan".