King Charles III met with the Afghan Refugee Women’s Cricket Team at Clarence House in London on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in a show of solidarity with players who can no longer officially represent their country due to a ban imposed by the Taliban regime. The meeting was reported by multiple British media outlets, including the BBC.
Exiled Players Share Their Escape Stories
The team, currently living in exile, told the King how they fled Afghanistan to preserve their dreams of playing cricket. The Taliban’s directive halting all women’s sport in the country means the cricket team is barred from participating in official competitions. “I’m so glad that you can pursue what you want to do,” the King said, as quoted by the BBC.
Playing for Solidarity
The players stated that they continue to play as a gesture of solidarity with all women in Afghanistan. Their visit to the UK coincides with exhibition matches scheduled during the women’s T20 World Cup, which is being held in England. The meeting underscores ongoing international support for the team despite the Taliban’s restrictions.
