Five Iran Women’s Football Players Granted Asylum in Australia
Last update: March 10, 2026
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Players request protection after facing backlash at home for refusing to sing national anthem.
Five members of Iran’s visiting women’s football team sought asylum in Australia on Tuesday after they were labelled traitors at home for refusing to sing the national anthem.
The Iranian players remained silent as the anthem was played ahead of a tournament match in Australia last week, an act widely seen as a gesture of defiance against the Islamic republic.
United States President Donald Trump was among those calling on Australia to offer the players asylum, warning they could face serious danger if forced to return to Iran.
Five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, quietly left the team hotel during the night and approached Australian authorities to seek protection.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government had been preparing for the move for some time.
He said Australians had been deeply moved by the situation of the players and assured that they were safe and welcome in the country.
Albanese also thanked Australian media for exercising restraint, suggesting reports of the asylum request were held back until the players were safely in government care.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government held several days of confidential discussions with the players before they left their hotel on the Gold Coast and were moved to a secure location.
Photographs released later showed the players gathered around a table as Burke signed documents granting them special humanitarian visas allowing them to remain in Australia.
Burke said the players celebrated the moment by chanting “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” after the paperwork was completed. He added that other members of the team would also be allowed to stay in Australia if they chose to do so.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, other members of the Iranian squad departed Australia on Tuesday night on a flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur.
It remains unclear whether any additional players decided at the last minute to remain in Australia.
Local media reported that supporters gathered at Sydney Airport to welcome the players after they arrived from the Gold Coast earlier in the day, but they were unable to get close to the team.
