CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – Five players from the Iranian women’s national football team received humanitarian visas in Australia after saying they did not feel safe returning to Iran.
New asylum requests from within the team
According to reports cited by CNN, two additional members of the Iranian delegation had applied for asylum in Australia. They were said to be one player and one member of the support staff, who lodged their applications after travelling to the tournament.
These new cases came on top of the initial group of players who had already decided not to return home after the competition. The developments highlighted growing concerns within parts of the squad about possible consequences in Iran.
Confirmed visas and Albanese’s intervention
On 10 March, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that five Iranian national team players had already been granted humanitarian visas. He said the decision was linked to security concerns if the women had to go back to Iran after the tournament.
The move underscored Australia’s role in handling the politically sensitive case during the Women’s Asian Cup. It also placed additional international attention on how countries respond when athletes seek protection at sporting events.
Uncertain journey for remaining delegation
At the same time, reports suggested that other team members had already left Australia and were on their way back. However, it remained unclear which route they were taking and when they would reach their destination.
The lack of transparency around their travel plans raised questions about the level of control and oversight over the rest of the delegation. It also fuelled speculation about whether more individuals might attempt to stay abroad.
The trigger: silence during the anthem
The Iranian women’s national team had travelled to Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup, but worries about their return intensified after the first match. Parts of the team reportedly stood still and did not sing the national anthem before the opening game, without offering any public explanation.
In Iran, religious hardline circles interpreted this behaviour as a sign of disloyalty or even betrayal, according to the reports. Such acts could be severely punished in the country, adding to the players’ fears about going home.
Pressure after reactions in Iran
Sources told CNN Sports that the players had been pushed to sing before the second match on 5 March and again before the game on 8 March. On the latter occasion, they reportedly even performed a military-style salute.
This pressure illustrated how a symbolic gesture at a sporting event quickly turned into a test of political loyalty. It also showed the extent to which athletes could be caught between expectations from officials and their own safety concerns.
Turbulence after the final match
After the final match on 8 March, which the Iranians reportedly lost 2–0 to the Philippines, an emotional scene unfolded at the venue. Fans were said to have surrounded the team bus and shouted at police officers to protect the players.
“Protect our children.”
said unnamed fans, as the bus drove away, according to the reports.
The confrontation underlined the strong feelings among supporters about the squad’s fate. It also highlighted the visible fear that the players might face serious repercussions once back in Iran.
Trump urges protection and hints at US alternative
The case gained additional political weight when former US President Donald Trump publicly called on Australia via Truth Social to grant the players protection. He argued that Australia would be making a humanitarian mistake if the women were sent back.
Trump wrote, in effect, that the United States would take in the players if Canberra refused to do so. His intervention added an international political dimension to what had begun as a regional football tournament.
Sport, symbols and asylum debates
The case showed how quickly a sports competition turned into a security issue when gestures such as remaining silent during an anthem were read as political and punished at home. It also raised broader questions about how democracies should respond when athletes seek protection abroad.
Should countries like Australia offer asylum more generously in such situations, or should there be stricter criteria to prevent sport from becoming a regular escape route? The debate over the Iranian team suggested that these questions would not be resolved on the pitch alone.