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Australia granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team on Monday, following their perceived political stance during the Women’s Asian Cup and pressure from President Donald Trump.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke made the announcement. The women were transported from their hotel on Australia’s Gold Coast “to a safe location” by the country’s federal police officers in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
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In this photo provided by Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office, Minister Tony Burke, center, poses at an undisclosed location with five Iranian soccer players who have been granted asylum in Australia, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Australian Home Office via AP)
The players then met with Burke and began processing their humanitarian visas, he said.
“I tell the other members of the team that they have the same opportunity,” Burke said. “Australia has welcomed the Iranian women’s football team into our hearts.”
The asylum requests came amid increased pressure from Trump on Monday and from Iranian groups in Australia.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iranian women’s national soccer team to be forced to return to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The United States will accept them if you don’t,” he wrote in Truth Social.
“I just spoke with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia about the Iranian women’s national soccer team,” Trump later added. He’s on it! Five have already been treated and the rest are on the way. Some, however, feel they must return because they are concerned about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they do not return. In any case, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job in this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!”
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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The team arrived in Australia before Israel and the United States launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28. The attacks led to the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iranian players refused to sing their national anthem before their opening loss to South Korea last Monday, seen by some as an act of resistance, which was called by one Iranian commentator the “pinnacle of dishonour.”
The team did not clarify. But the players sang the anthem and saluted before their losses to Australia and the Philippines.
“These women are tremendously popular in Australia, but we realize they are in a terribly difficult situation with the decisions they are making,” Burke said. “They will continue to have the opportunity to speak to Australian officials if they wish.”
The Australian Iranian Council launched an online petition urging Australian authorities to “ensure that no member of Iran’s women’s national football team leaves Australia while credible fears remain for their safety.”
Iran’s supporters wave flags during the Women’s Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAPImage via AP)
“When there is credible evidence that visiting athletes may face persecution, imprisonment, coercion or worse upon their return, silence is not a neutral position,” the petition said. “The current war environment has intensified the repression, fear and risks faced by anyone publicly perceived as disloyal to the Islamic Republic.”
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Iran head coach Marziyeh Jafari was quoted by Australia’s national news agency that the team wants to “return to Iran as soon as we can.”
