WASHINGTON — Their team shirts didn’t say ‘‘Afghanistan,’’ and their name badges were handwritten, not typed, suggesting the last-minute nature of their entry into the United States. But the Afghan girls competing Monday in an international robotics competition in Washington were clearly excited to be representing their nation.

The team of six teenage girls was twice rejected for US visas before President Trump intervened at the last minute. They arrived in Washington from their hometown of Herat, Afghanistan, early Saturday, and their ball-sorting robot competed in its first round Monday morning.

‘‘We were so interested, because we find a big chance to show the talent and ability of Afghans, show that Afghan women can make robots, too,’’ said team member Rodaba Noori. She acknowledged, though, that the team ‘‘hadn’t long, or enough time to get ready for competition.’’

The girls’ struggle to overcome war, hardship and US bureaucracy on their journey to Washington has made their team stand out among more than 150 young people competing in the FIRST Global Challenge, a robotics competition designed to encourage youths to pursue careers in math and science.

ASSOCIATED PRESS