WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers called on FIFA to recognize the exiled Afghanistan women's soccer team, in a letter sent to the sport's international governing body on Friday. The Afghan women's team launched a petition at the end of July, calling on FIFA to recognize them as representatives of their country. The Afghan men's team continues to be recognized by the organization. The letter comes as the FIFA Women's World Cup enters its final weeks, the highest attended in the organization's history. Reporting by Moira Warburton in Washington; additional reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Don Bacon, Darin LaHood, Kathy Castor, Rick Larsen, Moira Warburton, Amy Tennery, Toby Chopra Organizations: FIFA, Afghanistan women's soccer, Taliban, Congressional Soccer Caucus, Republican, Afghan, Thomson Locations: U.S, Afghanistan, Australia, Washington, New York