Once banned by FIFA, hijab built into new Afghanistan women's shirt

Four years ago, almost exactly to the day, FIFA ended its ban of hijabs on the soccer field. Until then, the headscarf traditionally worn by adult Muslim women wasn't allowed and was treated like jewelry and other headgear – to be taken off before taking the field.

But since it was approved – part of the legacy of Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, the failed FIFA presidential candidate, by the way – integrating it into uniforms remained an issue of sorts.

Until now.

Hummel has released its new uniforms for the Afghan national team. And the women's cut includes an option that has a hijab built into the clothing, making it a great deal more practical.

The hijab itself is actually a part of the undershirt.

"From the outset it was clear that the shirt was enormously significant," Hummel designer Paul Fitzgerald said on the company's website.

"We don't sponsor the biggest teams in the world, but we make partnerships with teams and clubs with a story to tell, like Afghanistan," company owner Christian Stadil added. "We try to meet the Afghan people where they are, and right now that is by helping the women play football with or without a hijab."

Playing soccer remains enormously difficult for women in Afghanistan. Taliban-era repression of women remains widespread. But thanks to these uniforms, it has gotten a little bit easier.

You can buy your own hijab undershirt here.

h/t a football report