Gold Coast Stadium

Gold Coast Stadium recently hosted the Iranian women's national football team. The team's presence in Australia has become newsworthy due to several team members seeking asylum. Initially, seven members of the Iranian delegation, including players and support staff, applied for asylum, citing fears of potential punishment upon returning to Iran after the team refused to sing the national anthem. However, recent developments indicate that some individuals are withdrawing their asylum applications. As of March 15, 2026, the captain of the team, Zahra Ghanbari, has withdrawn her request, bringing the total number of withdrawals to five. The situation remains relevant due to the ongoing concerns surrounding the safety and well-being of the Iranian athletes and the implications for international relations and asylum policies.