Farkhunda Muhtaj

Farkhunda Muhtaj is an Afghan-Canadian football luminary and social activist who unites the worlds of sport, education and humanitarianism. Farkhunda's instrumental role in the evacuation of over 300 people, including the Afghan Youth Women’s National Football Team and their families in 2021, was profiled in the 2024 Cannes Lions winning documentary, We Are Ayenda.

Farkhunda currently serves as the Captain of the Afghanistan Women’s National Football team and continues to play professionally as part of the Calgary Wild FC of the Northern Super League, kicking off in April 2025. Her social activism work champions gender equality, anti-racism education, refugee and newcomer support and humanitarian relief through sport and physical wellness initiatives.

Muhtaj is the Calgary Wild’s Community Ambassador and the Co-Founder and Director of the Scarborough Simbas, a non-profit organization that uses sport to help ease the settlement journey of refugees and newcomers to Canada. A prolific and sought-after speaker, Farkhunda brings her voice to stages and spaces around the world to speak on Global Active Citizenship, the Transformational Power of Sport and Capacity Building, Leadership in Time of Crisis, Growth Mindset, Women & Refugee Rights, and more.

Off the pitch, Farkhunda is an ambassador for Right To Play, Common Goal, Penny Appeal Canada, and Women for Women International. Muhtaj also serves on the Canadian Child Rights in Sports Advisory Committee, Canada Soccer’s Women’s Development Advisory Committee, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Sport, Physical Activity, Health & Wellness Program Advisory Body.

Named a Top 30 Under 30 Alumni by her alma-mater York University, Farkhunda has been featured in the BBC, CBC, AP News, NPR, Al Jazeera, People Magazine, Elle Magazine and more.