Australia grants asylum to 2 more members of Iranian women’s football team

Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five members of Iran's women's soccer team. The decision follows criticism from Iranian state media directed at the players. The criticism stemmed from the team members' alleged failure to sing the Iranian national anthem during a match held in Australia. Concerns for the safety of the players arose after the negative media coverage in Iran. The visas were granted in response to these safety concerns, allowing the players to remain in Australia.

Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women's soccer team. The decision was announced by Australia's Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, on Tuesday. The players were in Australia for a tournament when the Iran war began. Iranian groups in Australia and former U.S. President Donald Trump had urged the Australian government to grant asylum to the soccer players. The Iranian women's soccer team was in Australia to compete in the Women’s Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Following their elimination from the Women's Asian Cup in Australia, five members of the Iranian women's football team are reportedly seeking asylum and are under the protection of Australian federal police. The players allegedly refused to sing their national anthem at a previous game, leading to accusations of treason. A tense situation unfolded at the team's hotel on the Gold Coast, with anti-regime protestors present as the team prepared to depart. The Department of Home Affairs is reportedly processing asylum claims after the players' elimination from the tournament, and the Home Affairs Minister has spoken with the players. An anti-slavery commissioner has urged the Australian Federal Police to investigate the situation as potential "exit trafficking."

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is expected to make a statement regarding Iranian female footballers who were granted asylum after a dramatic night in Queensland. Economists warn that surging oil prices, reaching US$115 a barrel, increase the risk of the Reserve Bank hiking interest rates soon, with markets anticipating rates will remain higher for longer. Australia is considering a request for assistance from a friendly nation in the Indo-Pacific, potentially a Gulf state, that has been targeted by indiscriminate rocket fire from Iran, but will assess its capabilities and national interests first. The EU is also expected to sign a defence partnership with Australia.