What began as a desperate plea for help during the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan turned into a remarkable humanitarian mission led by Canadian soccer star Farkhunda Muhtaj, who helped rescue hundreds of young female athletes and their families from danger and gave them a new beginning in Europe.
Born in Pakistan to Afghan parents and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, Muhtaj made history last year as the first player signed by Calgary Wild FC in the Northern Super League. But years before her success on the field, she found herself fighting a very different battle.
In August 2021, after the Taliban seized Kabul and banned girls from participating in sports, Muhtaj received an urgent call from officials of the Afghanistan Football Federation. Dozens of young female soccer players and their families were trapped in the country and faced serious risks under the new regime.
As captain of Afghanistan’s women’s national team, which trained outside the country due to security concerns, Muhtaj was uniquely positioned to coordinate rescue efforts. Despite limited support and numerous setbacks, she reached out to humanitarian organizations and eventually established contacts with former U.S. intelligence officers who helped develop evacuation plans.
Communicating through encrypted messages to avoid Taliban surveillance, Muhtaj organized efforts to move the players and their families. Multiple attempts to leave Kabul by air failed, forcing the group to travel to northern Afghanistan and seek alternate routes through neighbouring countries. When border crossings closed, the families spent nearly three weeks in hiding in a safe house.
Their breakthrough came when Portugal offered asylum. With only a few hours available, buses transported the group to the airport, where they boarded flights to safety. On September 19, 2021, Muhtaj was waiting in Portugal as 80 Afghan players and their relatives arrived safely. Two months later, another 225 people reached the country.
The extraordinary rescue story later inspired a documentary titled We Are Ayenda, produced with support from Meta using the original WhatsApp messages exchanged during the operation. The film received the prestigious Grand Prix for Entertainment at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in 2024. The word “Ayenda,” meaning “future” in Afghanistan’s Pashto and Dari languages, symbolizes hope and opportunity for those whose dreams had been threatened.
Today, Muhtaj continues to advocate for Afghan women in football. Following FIFA’s recognition of the Afghanistan women’s national team in exile, she hopes displaced players will once again compete internationally and ultimately qualify for the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in Los Angeles in 2028.
Through courage, determination and compassion, Farkhunda Muhtaj has shown that a champion’s impact extends far beyond the soccer field, helping hundreds of young women reclaim their dreams and their future.