How Iran’s women footballers took asylum in Australia and what happens next

The Iranian women’s football team’s participation in the Asian Cup 2026 in Australia came to an end on Sunday, but the team’s journey at the tournament and in the country continues to create a stir after some of the players chose to seek asylum in the host nation.

The tournament began on March 1, a day after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran that killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as about 170 others, including many other military and political leaders and a number of students of an elementary school for girls.

Tehran responded by launching waves of missiles and drones at Israel, several military bases in the Middle East where US forces operate and at infrastructure in the region.

Iran played all their fixtures – on March 2, 5 and 8 – at the Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia.

When the team took the field for their first match of the tournament against South Korea, it was under great mental and emotional strain, with players choking back tears before the game.

The events that transpired between their opening match and their exit from Australia became a major talking point globally.

What happened to the Iranian women’s football team in Australia?

Iran were placed in Group A of the Asian Cup, where they lost all three games and were subsequently eliminated from the tournament.

However, the players were in the spotlight even before the first match kicked off as they stood in silence while the Iranian national anthem played.

Three days later, the script was flipped when Iran played their second game of the tournament against Australia. This time, not only did the players sing the national anthem, but they also saluted it, prompting fears that they may have been forced to change their stance after receiving backlash in Iranian media.

Why didn’t the Iranian players sing their anthem in the first match, but changed their stance later?

While neither the players nor the team management explained why they refrained from singing before the first match, fans and rights activists speculated that it may have been an act of defiance against the Iranian government.

Others suggested the players may have chosen to remain silent to pay their respects to Khamenei.

Why was the Iranian players’ safety under threat?

Following the first game, a presenter on Iranian state TV, IRIB, labelled the players “traitors” and said they showed a “lack of patriotism” by not singing the national anthem, adding that their actions amounted to the “pinnacle of dishonour”.

“Let me ⁠just say one thing: traitors during wartime ⁠must be dealt with more severely,” Mohammad Reza Shahbaz said in a video circulating widely on social media.

“Anyone who takes a step against the country under war conditions must be dealt with more severely. Like this matter of ⁠our women’s football team not singing the national anthem … these people must be dealt with more ⁠severely.”

These comments prompted the global representative organisation for professional footballers, FIFPRO, to urge FIFA and AFC to “undertake all necessary steps” for the Iranian players’ protection.

Members of the Australian Iranian community also stepped in, pleading with the Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to give refuge to the players.

How did the Australian government respond?

During Iran’s matches, the Australian government officials did not promise any action, but the country’s foreign minister offered sympathy to the players.

However, on the day of the team’s departure from Australia, Burke announced his government had offered all players and staff members the chance to stay back in the country.

How many Iranian players took asylum in Australia?

On Tuesday, Burke told reporters that five Iranian players had decided to seek asylum in Australia and would be assisted by the government.

“They are welcome to stay in Australia, they are safe here, and they should feel at home here,” he said.

A day later, Burke confirmed that an additional player and a member of the team’s support staff had received humanitarian visas in the hours before their departure.

However, one player, who previously chose to stay behind, changed her mind and decided to return to Iran.

The player, who was later identified as Mohadese Zolfigol, changed her decision on the advice of her teammates, Burke told the Australian Parliament.

“She had been advised by her teammates and encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy,” he said.

How did the Iranian players escape their hotel?

After Iran’s first game, five players approached Australian authorities with a request to seek asylum, according to Beau Busch, president of FIFPRO Asia Oceania.

“Five players came forward to authorities, and they were granted humanitarian visas to be able to stay,” Busch told Al Jazeera on Wednesday.

Australian media reported the team had been accompanied by Iranian government officials who were controlling their movements.

The hotel hosting the Iranian contingent was surrounded by local police at all times and was also frequented by members of the Australian Iranian community, who were pushing for the players’ defection.

According to several reports, five Iranian players were seen interacting with the diaspora and a hotel security guard before exiting the hotel lobby as the police stationed outside watched on.

“Less than half an hour later, two members of the Iranian delegation sprinted across the lobby and down a stairwell leading to the basement car park