Iranian Women’s Soccer Players Granted Asylum in Australia

It has been announced that players from Iran’s National Women’s Soccer Team will be granted asylum in Australia, following the team’s exit from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 last weekend.

In a press conference on Monday, Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said that team captain Zahra Ghanbari, as well as Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh would be provided with Australian humanitarian visas amidst the conflict back home in Iran. Burke added that the five players would be “welcome to stay in Australia, that they are safe here, and they should feel at home here” and that other players have also been offered the opportunity to claim asylum in the country.

On Wednesday, however, it was revealed by Burke that one of those players, whose identity is currently protected, had changed her mind following discussions with teammates.

According to Burke, the other players in question are currently staying at a hotel on the Gold Coast after they were eliminated from the Asian Cup on Sunday, having been defeated by the Philippines 2-0 in their final group-stage game.

The players were granted asylum by Australia after they refused to sing the Iranian national anthem ahead of their opening game against South Korea, which they lost 3-0. The action led to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB calling the players “traitors” whose actions were “the pinnacle of dishonor” and the players’ team bus being blocked by protesters after their defeat, raising concerns that they would face severe punishment if they were to return to Iran.

Although the players did not publicly reveal why they refused to sing the national anthem in their opening game, it was interpreted by many commentators as an act of defiance against the Iranian Government. It came just days after the United States and Israel launched missile strikes against Iran on February 28, in which Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and at least 1,230 people were killed, as well as at least 486 people in Lebanon and at least 13 in Israel, according to U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Australia’s humanitarian visa program offers permanent protection to refugees and those in humanitarian need, allowing them to live, work and study in the country for an indefinite period.

Protests in Iran

The Iranian protests are founded on a range of grievances dating back to at least 2022, when Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini was killed by police in Iran for an “improper hijab.” Iranian women continue to face persecution and discrimination in the country, and have protested against the compulsory wearing of hijabs and other strict regulations under sharia laws, the regime itself and other human rights violations, while the demonstrations have intensified over the last year due to soaring inflation and shortages driven by international sanctions.

The national team did sing and salute the anthem in their final two games against Australia and the Philippines, sparking suggestions among human rights campaigners that they may have been forced to do so by their government minders who had been escorting them around the country for the duration of the tournament.

Reaction

U.S. President Donald Trump had previously urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “give ASYLUM” to the team via a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, and warned that failure to do so would be a “terrible humanitarian mistake” that could put their lives in danger on returning to Iran.

Following a phone call with President Trump, Albanese told reporters that “assistance remains available for the other members of the team” and that they would receive appropriate support if they take that decision.

Following the news, FIFA said that it was in contact with the authorities in Australia as it prioritized the safety of the players.

“The safety and security of IR Iran’s women’s national team are FIFA’s priority, and we therefore remain in close contact with the AFC and the relevant Australian authorities, including Football Australia, in relation to the team’s situation,” read the statement.

Meanwhile, soccer player union FIFPRO Asia/Oceania had earlier posted a statement on Instagram, calling on the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA to “urgently engage with the Iranian Football Association, the Australian Government and all other relevant authorities to ensure that every effort is made to protect the safety of the players.”

More Sporting Disruption

Iran’s Men’s National Soccer Team is due to compete at this summer’s Men’s FIFA Women’s Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, however its participation is now in doubt due to the war in the Middle East and President Trump’s ban on Iranian citizens entering the United States. It has been suggested that Iran, which is scheduled to play Egypt, Belgium and New Zealand in Group G at the World Cup, could face disciplinary action and a potential multi-tournament ban from FIFA if it decides to withdraw from the 2026 edition.

Other sports and travel plans across the Gulf and the Middle East were impacted as the war expanded last week. The Finalissima in Qatar between reigning FIFA World Cup champions Argentina and current European champions Spain is likely to be moved abroad and Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia could be canceled next month, while cricket, basketball and tennis events have also been disrupted.