Yesterday in Milan was dedicated to the work of Terre des Hommes, an organisation that since 2012 has placed the protection of girls’ rights around the world at the heart of its activities through its InDifesa campaign, defending their right to life, freedom, education, equality and protection. The 2026 inDifesa report was presented at Palazzo Isimbardi. As in previous editions, the FIGC contributed an in-depth section exploring football as a tool for empowerment and social impact, with a chapter dedicated to women’s football and the Afghan players from Herat. The initiative forms part of the FIGC’s Social and Environmental Sustainability Strategy and falls within its Emergency and Rights and Refugee Support policies.

 

Later in the evening, Fatima Haidari and Susan Khojasta took part in the Stand Up For Girls event. The two Afghan footballers came to Italy through a resettlement programme launched by COSPE, Caritas and the Municipality of Florence, with the FIGC, AIC and AIAC then supporting the next stage of their journey in football. Fatima currently plays for Tegoleto in Tuscany’s Eccellenza division. At the same time, FIFA has recognised Afghan Women United as Afghanistan’s official women’s national team, with both Fatima, who is also the captain, and Susan part of the squad.

 

“I was 12 when I started playing football with some of my schoolmates,” Fatima said in an interview published on the Terre des Hommes website and recorded at Coverciano during the Road to Unity EURO Cup 2026. “I was living in Herat and there weren’t many girls playing football. It seemed almost unthinkable. But our passion was so strong that we became pioneers, helping to establish women’s football officially within the Herat Football Federation.” Haidari also revealed that Messi is her role model on the pitch, “but my real focus is on the future. I want to become a role model myself for girls and women. I dream of having a professional football career at the highest level and, one day, of being able to return to my country and play for Afghanistan.”