Iranian women’s soccer team returns home after refusing asylum in Australia: report
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Earlier this month, Australia granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who were visiting the country for a tournament when the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against the country. The remaining team members, however, faced uncertainty.
After the team was eliminated from the Women’s Asian Cup, most of the players who initially requested asylum changed their minds.
On Wednesday, all but two finally returned to Iran after rejecting offers of asylum in Australia, according to unconfirmed reports in Iranian state media.
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A video circulating on social media shows the footballers entering Iran after a flight landed in Türkiye. Those same athletes were previously seen traveling around the country by bus shortly after the flight returned to Iran. Several officials were reportedly present at the border when the football team arrived.
Members of Iran’s women’s football team board a bus at Igdir airport to arrive at Dogubeyazit in Igdir on March 18, 2026. Iran’s women’s national football team landed at Istanbul airport on March 17, 2026, after several members of the delegation withdrew their asylum claims in Australia. (Ali IHSAN OZTURK / News via Getty Images)
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were the two members of the Iranian national team who reportedly chose to stay in Australia. Both have been training with the Brisbane Roar club.
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The Iran team arrived in Australia for the tournament shortly before the war began on 28 February. The team initially gained global attention after some players remained silent during the Iranian national anthem before their first match.
Members of Iran’s women’s football team leave Igdir airport, waiting to arrive at Dogubeyazit, in Igdir on March 18, 2026. Iran’s women’s national football team landed at Istanbul airport on March 17, 2026, after several members of the delegation withdrew their asylum claims in Australia. (Ali IHSAN OZTURK / News via Getty Images)
When the team was eliminated from the tournament and faced the prospect of returning to a country under bombing, calls grew for the Australian government to offer the women asylum. Iranian groups in Australia and President Donald Trump were among those expressing fear for the women’s safety.
Last week, Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, dismissed suggestions that the women would be in danger if they returned home, saying the country “welcomes its children with open arms and the government guarantees their safety.”
Trump also commented on the Iranian men’s team’s participation in the World Cup, suggesting last week that while the team is “welcome” to compete in the United States after qualifying, it might not be “appropriate.”
Iran’s players pose for a team photo before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone Qualifying Group A football match between Iran and North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (ATTA KENARE/News)
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“Iran’s national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on March 12.
Iran’s men’s team is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15. They are also scheduled to face Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The United States will host the tournament along with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
The News contributed to this report.
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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for News Digital.