King Charles III welcomed the exiled Afghan women's cricket team in London on June 24, 2026. The visit recognized the athletes' efforts to preserve women's sport after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
The team has been living in exile since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, a period during which opportunities for women and girls to participate in sports have been severely restricted. Their meeting with the monarch highlighted ongoing international support for women's rights and athletic freedom in the face of repression.