Khalida Popal: "The world of football -- especially women's football -- they're tired of fluffy words," Popal told ESPN. "We don't want words. We want action. If you're talking about gender equality, human rights and standing for players' rights -- the Afghanistan national team is right here.
"Their dreams are not different to any dream of any footballer around the world. They are footballers. They have equally dreamed and they have equally put effort. And even more than that.
"The women in Afghanistan risked their lives to use football as an opportunity and to inspire others to show the beauty and positive side of football, what football can bring to communities and societies. That is being ignored. When you go to these FIFA conferences and events, when these leaders are standing and talking about how sport can bring social change, they cannot talk these words and not see the Afghan women."