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Former American soccer star Megan Rapinoe has spoken out in support of the Iranian women’s soccer team amid the players’ trials and tribulations over the past few weeks while competing in Australia.
The Iranian women’s football team was in Australia earlier this month to compete in the Women’s Asian Cup. The players were seen refusing to sing their country’s national anthem as the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against the Iranian regime. The players were branded “wartime traitors” by an Iranian broadcaster for their decisions during the tournament.
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Retired American soccer player Megan Rapinoe watches before a SheBelieves Cup match against Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
Australian officials then scrambled to try to get the players asylum in the country. At least two players stayed in Australia while the rest of the team returned to Iran.
Rapinoe praised the “bravery and courage” of the women.
“I’m thinking about this in the context of the immense pressure that these young adults and these young women are under to make a decision like this,” she said on the “A Touch More” podcast. “For example, the incredible courage and bravery it would take to know what that could mean for your family back home. The bravery and courage to protest against the national anthem, basically protesting against the Iranian regime and not singing the national anthem during a game. The stress and uncertainty that you face: your family, your loved ones. What does all that mean for your home country?
“Of course, I fully support their decisions to seek asylum and seek a better life and try to escape an incredibly oppressive regime in that situation. I don’t know what’s going on with them and why some of them left and what it was like. I hope that those who returned home did so of their own free will and choice and that their families are safe, that they are safe and their friends are safe. I hope that those who have chosen to stay feel a sense of peace and hope about the potential of a new life in Australia or otherwise.
Iranian players react during the national anthem before the Women’s Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Image by Dave Hunt/AAP via AP)
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Rapinoe added that she was “amazed by his bravery.”
The former US soccer star faced scrutiny for not speaking out as the saga unfolded in the country. Piers Morgan was among those who labeled Rapinoe a “hypocrite.”
“The silence on this from Rapinoe, and so many so-called ‘feminists’ like her, is so telling, damning and hypocritical,” he wrote in a social media post. “They would rather campaign for biological men to destroy women’s sport than campaign for these heroic young athletes to help save their lives.”
He didn’t address his critics in his latest podcast episode with Sue Bird.
Initially, seven of the Iranian footballers accepted asylum, but turned around and rejected the opportunity at the last minute. Two players who stayed were seen training with one of the country’s top clubs last week.
The Australian government faced criticism for not working quickly enough to reach players.
“We ended up with an outcome that is certainly far from ideal,” Graham Thom, advocacy coordinator for the Australian Refugee Council, told The Associated Press.
FILE – Iran’s players pose for a team photo before the Women’s Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAPImage via AP, File)
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“We hope that the two who remain get the protection they need, but we just hope that those who have returned are safe as well.”
