By 
The FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025 ended in emotion and celebration on Saturday night in Berrechid, Morocco, a tournament that was as much about hope as it was about football.
Unbeaten Chad lifted the trophy after three stunning victories, but every team that took part left with something far greater: pride, purpose, and a place in history.
This was more than a tournament. It was a statement, a sign that women’s football is finding its voice in corners of the world where it had long been silenced.
A Festival of Firsts
Hosted by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the week-long event was the first under FIFA’s new “Unites” initiative, a project aimed at giving emerging women’s teams the chance to compete in officially sanctioned international matches.
Chad, Libya, Tunisia, and Afghan Women United were the four teams to answer the call.
For Chad and Libya, it meant history: both nations will now appear in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking for the very first time in December.
“This wasn’t just about winning,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who watched from the stands.
“It was about writing stories, stories that will inspire girls around the world to believe that they belong on this stage.”
Chad’s Moment of Glory
Chad’s fairytale run ended in a dramatic 1–0 win over Tunisia, one of Africa’s more established teams. Solange Larkingam, the star of the tournament, scored her seventh goal in the 29th minute, a strike that ultimately sealed both the win and Chad’s perfect record.
Down to 10 players in the second half, the Chadian side defended with heart, grit, and pure determination.
When the final whistle blew, the players collapsed to the turf in tears of joy, embracing one another as their nation’s flag waved proudly from the stands.
Tunisia finished second, while Afghan Women United, the story that touched the world, came third.
Afghan Women United: More Than a Game
For Afghanistan’s women, the tournament was about much more than football. It was about reclaiming their right to dream.
Their team, Afghan Women United, was formed under FIFA’s Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football, bringing together players from the Afghan diaspora in Australia, the UK, Italy, and Portugal. Many had not played together before, but on the pitch, they found unity.
Their campaign began with a narrow defeat to Chad, but it ended with pure joy, a 7–0 win over Libya that brought smiles, tears, and a bronze medal.
“We’ve waited so long for this moment,” said captain Fatima Sadat, her voice breaking after the match. “We didn’t just play for ourselves. We played for every Afghan girl who still dreams of playing one day.”
A Tournament That Changed Lives
Across six matches, the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025 proved that football’s greatest power lies in connection.
Beyond the competition, players attended workshops on leadership, mental health, and personal growth, ensuring that the experience extended far beyond the pitch.
At the closing ceremony, Chad’s jubilant squad lifted their trophy to the cheers of their opponents and fans alike.
Watching from the stands were FIFA’s Chief Football Officer and two-time World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis, along with Khadija Illa, President of Morocco’s Women’s Football National League.
As the lights dimmed and the applause faded, it was clear that this tournament had achieved far more than crowning a champion.
It had given women from four nations a platform, a voice, and a reason to keep believing.
“This week showed what happens when courage meets opportunity,” Ellis said. “Every player who stepped onto that field made history.”
