Fiber lasers with 2-3 μm center wavelength have broad application prospects in the military, sensing, communication, biomedical, and environmental monitoring fields. The use of the rare earth doped fluorophosphate glass to prepare optical fiber is an effective method for directly fabricating 2-3 μm fiber lasers. The current research progress of rare earth doped fluorophosphate glass fibers for 2-3 μm fiber laser application is reviewed. In addition, the development and current challenges associated with rare earth doped fluorophosphate glass fiber are explored.