Australia grants asylum to 5 members of Iranian women’s soccer team, official says

By Admin

10 Mar, 2026

Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s national soccer team who were in the country for the Women’s Asian Cup tournament when the war involving Iran began. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) by Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke.

The announcement follows intense international attention surrounding the players’ situation and growing calls from Iranian diaspora groups and global leaders urging Australia to offer protection to the athletes.

Asylum Granted After Emergency Request

According to Burke, the five athletes were moved to a secure location in the early hours of Tuesday after requesting asylum. Officers from the Australian Federal Police transported them from their hotel in Gold Coast to a safe place where their humanitarian visa applications were processed.

Burke later told reporters in Brisbane that the women were relieved and excited after their visas were approved.

“I do not want to begin to imagine how difficult that decision is for each of the individual women, but certainly last night it was joy, it was relief,” Burke said.

Photos shared by the minister on social media showed the players smiling and applauding as documents confirming their asylum were signed. The women have allowed their names and photographs to be published and emphasized that they do not consider themselves political activists.

Tournament Visit Turned Into a Humanitarian Crisis

The Iranian team had arrived in Australia last month to participate in the Women’s Asian Cup, before the conflict in Iran escalated. However, as fighting intensified, returning home became uncertain and potentially dangerous.

The team was eliminated from the tournament over the weekend, leaving players facing the prospect of returning to a country currently under bombardment.

The squad includes 26 players along with coaching staff, led by head coach Marziyeh Jafari. Burke confirmed that Australia extended the offer of asylum to all members of the team, not just the five players who have already accepted it.

“The opportunity will continue to be there for them to talk to Australian officials if they wish to,” Burke said.

The future of the remaining 21 players and coaching staff members remains unclear.

Emotional Moments During the Tournament

Throughout the tournament, the Iranian team attracted significant media attention in Australia. One moment that sparked widespread discussion occurred before their opening match against South Korea when the players did not sing the Iranian national anthem.

Observers interpreted the silence in different ways   some saw it as a symbolic protest, while others believed it represented mourning for the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Later in the tournament, the players sang and saluted during the anthem before their remaining matches, but they never publicly explained the initial silence.

Iranian forward Sara Didar became emotional during a press conference while speaking about concerns for her family and the broader Iranian population affected by the war.

Australian Leaders Express Support

Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the athletes had gained strong public support across the country.

“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women,” Albanese told reporters. “They are safe here and they should feel at home here.”

He also noted that Australian authorities ensured that the asylum process was handled carefully so that it would not endanger the players or their families back in Iran.

International Pressure and Trump’s Intervention

The asylum decision also came after strong public statements from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump had earlier criticized Australia on social media, accusing the government of making a humanitarian mistake by allowing the athletes to return to Iran.

“The US will take them if you won’t,” Trump wrote in one post.

Shortly afterward, Trump praised Albanese once the asylum decision was announced, saying Australia had already begun helping the players.

Albanese confirmed that he spoke with Trump in what he described as a “very positive conversation” regarding the situation.

What Happens Next?

While five players have already received asylum, the future remains uncertain for the rest of the Iranian squad. Officials say the remaining athletes will continue to have access to discussions with Australian authorities if they wish to request protection.

For now, the five women who accepted asylum are beginning a new chapter of their lives in Australia   a decision shaped by conflict, uncertainty, and the hope for safety.

✅ Conclusion

The asylum granted to members of the Iranian women’s soccer team highlights the intersection of sports, geopolitics, and humanitarian concerns. As the conflict involving Iran continues, the situation of athletes competing abroad has drawn global attention. Australia’s decision reflects both humanitarian considerations and the broader international pressure surrounding the crisis.