Three more Iran football team members change minds over asylum

Four of seven members of the women's football delegation who originally sought to stay in Australia have now chosen to return home.

After the Iranian women's soccer team was eliminated from the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia, most members declined last-minute asylum offers from Australian authorities and chose to return to Iran, despite earlier seeking refuge due to safety concerns.

Five female Iranian football players have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia after fleeing from their team's hotel during the Asian Cup. The Australian immigration minister confirmed their protection and welcomed them to the country.

During the 2026 Asian Football Championship in Australia, several Iranian national team women defected and sought asylum. The players were heavily monitored without internet access and openly criticized the Iranian regime by remaining silent during the national anthem.

Following Iran's elimination from the AFC Women's Asian Cup, several members of the Iranian women's national football team chose to stay in Australia due to safety concerns after a silent protest during the national anthem, with U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urging Australia to grant them asylum.

Five members of the Iranian women's soccer team, who initially sought asylum in Australia after participating in the Women's Asian Cup, have now returned to Iran or departed Australia, leaving only two players still in the country. The departures have been attributed to possible pressure from the Iranian government, though the Australian government emphasizes that the remaining players are genuine asylum seekers receiving full support.

Three more members of Iran's women's soccer team who had initially sought refuge in Australia have decided to return to Iran, reducing the number of players remaining in Australia to three. These departures come after the team arrived for the Women's Asian Cup, prior to the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on February 28. Their decision to return has sparked concern among Australian officials and human rights advocates.