Iran exited group A of the Women's Asian Cup 2026 after three losses to South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines. By 9/3, the team returned home, but seven members sought asylum in Australia and received humanitarian visas. The individuals included players Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali, Mona Hamoudi, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, Mohaddeseh Zolfi, and support staff member Zahra Meshkehkar.

A day later, Mohaddeseh Zolfi reconsidered her decision. The Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) and Australia's Department of Home Affairs have since confirmed that three more individuals—Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali, and Zahra Meshkehkar—decided to leave Australia and return home.

Seven members of the Iran women's national team sought asylum in Australia (six on the left and one on the far right) after their exit from the Women's Asian Cup, on 10/3. *Photo: X/@Tony_Burke*

The four individuals will rejoin the national team in Malaysia before their return to Iran. The FFIRI stated, "The players will arrive in Tehran in the coming days to be welcomed once again by their families and homeland." An article from the Iranian news agency Tasmin added, "They resisted psychological warfare, extensive propaganda, and tempting offers."

Australia's Minister for Home Affairs commented, "The Australian government can provide opportunities, but cannot eliminate the circumstances that compel players to make difficult decisions."

The initial asylum applications by the seven Iranian members stemmed from fears following the team's refusal to sing the national anthem before their opening match against South Korea in group A of the Women's Asian Cup 2026, on 2/3. This act was labeled "the height of disgrace" by some media. Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, host of the "Footnote" program on Iranian state television, stated the women's national team should be considered "wartime traitors," an offense punishable by death under Iranian law.

For the subsequent two matches, team members sang the national anthem and performed military-style salutes. However, some observers suggested the players were "forced" to do so.

On the evening of 13/3, Reuters reported that the FFIRI had posted a statement from coach Marziyeh Jafari on its Telegram page, addressing pressure from domestic media. The post was subsequently deleted.

Coach Jafari suggested her players were psychologically affected from their opening match at the Women's Asian Cup 2026, facing a heavy atmosphere. She noted their homeland was experiencing airstrikes from the US and Israel, while team members endured criticism from the media.

Coach Jafari stated, "The greater mistake was that people at home failed to understand that atmosphere, instead calling for an uprising against the daughters of this country. I have asked the Federation to investigate this incident, as it caused psychological harm to the players. We have borne the consequences."

The head coach believed the team was "affected by the political atmosphere," suggesting that without it, no member would have sought asylum. Australian police contacted players multiple times and met individually with them to persuade them to stay; however, most chose to return home.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the players would be welcomed upon their return. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei urged coach Marziyeh Jafari and her team not to worry, stating that Iran " awaits them with open arms."

Iran's Prosecutor General's Office also issued a statement inviting the remaining team members to return home "with peace and confidence," aiming to reassure their families amid rumors of potential punishment.

Trung Thu (according to Tasmin, Reuters)