Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five members of Iran’s women’s national football team after they sought asylum, fearing persecution if they returned home.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians had been moved by the players’ situation after they refused to sing Iran’s national anthem during an Asian Cup match.
“They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here,” Albanese said at a news conference in Canberra.
@apnews Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who were visiting the country for a tournament when the Iran war began, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. #australia #soccer #iranwar ♬ original sound – The Associated Press
The players were identified by Australian officials as Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh.
Secret Talks and Police Assistance
Authorities said police helped extract the players from their Iranian government handlers after several days of confidential discussions with Australian officials.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke posted photos with the athletes after granting the visas and said the government had been quietly negotiating with them before their decision to seek protection.
Iranian fans display signs during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group A match between Iran and Philippines at Gold Coast Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 8, 2026. AAP/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. AUSTRALIA OUT. NEW ZEALAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NEW ZEALAND. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN AUSTRALIA.
The five players are now staying at an undisclosed location under police protection.
Burke said the offer of assistance remains open to other members of the team currently in Australia, although it was uncertain how many would choose to accept it.
Anthem Protest Sparked Fears
Concern for the players’ safety grew after Iranian state television labelled them “wartime traitors” for standing in silence instead of singing the national anthem before their opening match against South Korea.
A commentator on Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, described the gesture as the “pinnacle of dishonour.”
The team later sang the anthem before a second match against Australia, raising fears among human rights advocates that government minders may have pressured them.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB People attempt to block a bus transporting Iranian players following the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group A match between Iran and Philippines at Gold Coast Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, March 8, 2026. AAP/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. AUSTRALIA OUT. NEW ZEALAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NEW ZEALAND. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN AUSTRALIA.
Trump Praises Australia’s Handling
U.S. President Donald Trump initially criticized Australia on social media, warning that the players might face death if forced to return to Iran and saying the United States would accept them if Australia did not.
After speaking with Albanese, however, Trump praised the Australian leader, saying he was “doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation.”
Albanese said Trump called him shortly before 2 a.m., allowing him to explain that Australia had already taken steps to ensure the safety of the five players.
Concerns Remain for Other Players
The Iranian team had been competing in the Asian Cup tournament in Australia when the incident unfolded. They were eliminated from the competition after losing 2–0 to the Philippines.
The global players’ union FIFPRO said to Reuters in written statement that it remained concerned about the safety and wellbeing of other players and their families in Iran, stressing that athletes should be able to make decisions about their futures freely
Efforts are still underway to arrange travel for the remaining members of the squad, with Iranian officials exploring alternative routes home after initial plans to return via the United Arab Emirates were reportedly blocked.
