Iran Football Team: Australia Offers Visas to Players Facing Punishment at Home
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five members of the Iranian women’s national football team, allowing them to remain in the country after they faced potential repercussions for protesting the Iranian regime during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The decision comes amid escalating tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran, and follows a direct appeal from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke confirmed on Monday that Captain Zahra Ghanbari, midfielders Fatemeh Pasandideh and Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh have been granted visas. Burke stated the five players “are welcome to stay in Australia, that they are safe here, and they should feel at home here.” He too extended the offer of assistance to the remaining members of the Iranian team.
The players’ silent protest – standing in silence during the Iranian national anthem before their opening match against South Korea – drew immediate criticism from Iranian state media, labelled as “the pinnacle of dishonour” by a commentator on IRIB. The gesture was widely interpreted as a demonstration against the government in Tehran, particularly in light of the ongoing unrest and recent air strikes carried out by the U.S. And Israel, which have resulted in significant casualties within Iran.
The situation gained international attention, prompting intervention from former President Trump, who publicly urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant the team asylum. Trump claimed to have spoken with Albanese about the “delicate situation” and stated the Prime Minister was “on it!” He initially called for “ASYLUM” for the entire team, warning that allowing the players to return to Iran would be a “terrible humanitarian mistake” with potentially fatal consequences.
Following the granting of visas to the five players, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that “five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.” He also noted that some players expressed reluctance to remain in Australia due to concerns for the safety of their families, fearing retribution from the Iranian government.
Prime Minister Albanese confirmed a “very positive” phone conversation with Trump, stating he informed the former President of the actions taken to assist the players. “I was able to convey to him the action that we’d undertaken over the previous 48 hours, and that five of the team had asked for assistance and had received it and were safely located,” Albanese said.
The Iranian team’s participation in the Asian Cup coincided with a period of heightened geopolitical instability. The U.S. And Israel launched air strikes on Iran on , resulting in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and at least 1,255 other people, according to Iranian reports. This backdrop undoubtedly amplified the risks faced by the players upon their potential return home.
Initially, the team did sing the national anthem before their second match against Australia, a move that raised concerns among human rights campaigners who feared the players had been coerced by government minders. Reports indicated that Iranian officials had accompanied the team throughout their stay in Australia.
FIFPRO, the global football players’ union, expressed serious concerns for the team’s welfare, particularly as they prepared to return home and faced being labelled “wartime traitors.”
Elijah Buol, CEO of the Asylum Seekers Centre in Australia, hailed the decision to grant visas as a “compassionate and practical step” recognizing the dangers faced by Iranians returning to their country. However, Buol emphasized that this should be a starting point, calling for attention to the plight of other Iranian asylum seekers already living in Australia and awaiting a resolution to their cases.
The Iranian team was eliminated from the tournament on , after losing their final group game against the Philippines. The future of the remaining players remains uncertain, as they weigh their options and consider the potential risks to themselves and their families. The Australian government has reiterated its willingness to provide assistance to any team member who chooses to remain in the country.