5th member of Iranian women’s soccer team gives up asylum in Australia

Five members of the Iranian women's soccer team who initially sought asylum in Australia during the Women's Asian Cup in March 2026 have now left the country. The team arrived in Australia before the start of the war in the Middle East. Initially, six players and a support staff member accepted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia. However, the Australian government confirmed that five of those individuals have since departed, with the latest leaving shortly before midnight on Sunday. Two players remain in Australia, receiving support from the government and the Iranian diaspora. Iranian authorities have framed the women's return as a victory against Australia and the U.S., while some attribute the change of heart to pressure from Tehran.

An Iranian women's football player has left Australia after withdrawing her asylum claim, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. This marks the fifth member of the team to depart Australia after initially seeking asylum. The woman left late Sunday night. The reason for the initial asylum claims and subsequent withdrawals has not been disclosed. The news was confirmed by Burke's office on Monday.

The captain of Iran's women's football team, Zahra Ghanbari, has withdrawn her asylum application in Australia, according to Iranian state media. Ghanbari, along with three other players and a staff member, initially sought asylum after competing in the Women's Asian Cup. This brings the total to five members of the Iranian delegation who have reversed their decisions. Seven members in total had sought asylum after being labeled "traitors" for not singing the national anthem. Allegations have surfaced that the players were pressured to return to Iran through threats against their families, while Iranian authorities accuse Australia of encouraging them to stay. Ghanbari will now travel to Malaysia before returning to Iran.

Zahra Ghanbari, captain of Iran's women's football team, withdrew her asylum request in Australia, becoming the fifth member of the delegation to do so after seven sought asylum following the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Ghanbari will return to Iran from Malaysia. Previously, three players and one staff member also withdrew their asylum bids and traveled to Malaysia. Australia offered asylum to the team due to fears of punishment for refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem at the tournament, which took place in Australia in early March 2026. As of mid-March 2026, two Iranian players remain in Australia and have been promised asylum. The team's actions occurred amidst a war between the United States, Israel, and Iran that began in late February 2026.

Three more members of the Iranian women's football delegation, who were initially granted humanitarian visas in Australia, have decided to return to Iran, joining one who made the same decision earlier in the week. The women, Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar, Mona Hamoudi, and Zahra Sarbali, were part of a group of seven who initially sought asylum after concerns arose following their silent protest during the national anthem at an Asian Cup match in early March. Australian authorities confirmed they provided opportunities for the women to stay, but acknowledged the difficult context of their decisions. Iranian officials stated the women resisted "psychological warfare" and accused Australia of political maneuvering, while confirming the women were en route to Malaysia to rejoin their team and return home. This leaves only three of the original seven seeking asylum in Australia.

Three members of the Iranian women's football team, part of a delegation participating in a tournament in Australia, have withdrawn their asylum applications. Initially, seven members sought asylum, reportedly fearing punishment for refusing to sing Iran's national anthem at the Asian Cup tournament. The three individuals reportedly decided to return to Iran and were seen boarding a plane to Malaysia. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the withdrawal, stating the players were given multiple opportunities to reconsider. The Iranian team's visit coincided with the start of a war between the United States and Israel against Iran in late February, resulting in numerous Iranian casualties. The players were labeled "traitors" after refusing to sing the anthem.

In March 2026, Australia offered asylum to seven members of the Iranian women's football team. However, one of the women decided to return to Iran. According to the Australian interior minister, this individual revealed the team's secret location, which necessitated moving the remaining members for their safety. The article does not specify the reasons for the initial asylum offer or the woman's change of heart, but focuses on the confirmed decision and the subsequent security concerns. The events occurred in Australia, following the asylum offer made to the Iranian athletes.