Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on March 9, 2026, that five members of the Iranian women’s national soccer team had been granted asylum following their participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

The players were transported from their hotel in Gold Coast to an undisclosed safe location by federal police in the early hours of March 10, 2026. They met with Burke, who said processing for humanitarian visas had begun.[1][2]

Burke stated the same opportunity was available to other team members, adding, "Australia has taken the Iranian women’s soccer team into our hearts."[1][2]

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 is hosted by Australia from February 27 to March 15, 2026, across venues including Cbus Super Stadium in Robina on the Gold Coast.[3][4]

The tournament features 12 teams in three groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. Iran competed in Group A alongside South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, suffering losses to all three opponents, including a match against the Philippines at Robina on March 8, 2026.[3][5]

Iranian players did not sing their national anthem before their opening match against South Korea on March 9, 2026, an action viewed by some as political resistance. The team had sung the anthem prior to matches against Australia and the Philippines. Iranian women's national team players have refused the anthem in previous competitions as a form of protest.[1][6]

The Australian Iranian Council launched a petition urging authorities to prevent team members from returning to Iran amid safety concerns.[1]

Iran head coach Marziyeh Jafari said the team wished to return home as soon as possible.[1]

Sources

1. Australian Department of Home Affairs, Minister Tony Burke announcement and photo release on Iranian women's soccer team asylum, March 10, 2026, https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/TonyBurke/Pages/default.aspx
2. Associated Press, Australia grants asylum to five Iranian soccer players (with photo), March 10, 2026, https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
3. Asian Football Confederation (AFC), AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 official details and hosting announcement, July 19, 2023, https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/news/afc_womens_asian_cup_2026_to_be_staged_in_australia.html
4. AFC, 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup venues including Cbus Super Stadium Robina, accessed October 2024, https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html
5. Gold Coast City Council / AFC, Venue confirmation for Robina and tournament format, 2024, https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/sport-leisure/CBUS-Super-Stadium-2026-AFC-Womens-Asian-Cup-matches,343.html
6. The Guardian, Historical context: Iranian women’s footballers refuse national anthem amid protests, October 26, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/26/iranian-womens-footballers-refuse-to-sing-national-anthem-as-protest-deepens