Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five members of the Iranian women’s football team, offering them a safe haven after they declined to sing their national anthem during a recent Asian Cup tournament. The decision comes amid growing fears for the players’ safety should they return home.
Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke announced Monday that he had informed the five players “that they are welcome to stay in Australia, that they are safe here, and they should feel at home here”.
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The players identified as receiving the visas are captain Zahra Ghanbari, midfielders Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh.
The remaining members of the Iranian squad, who are currently in Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Queensland, are also being offered the opportunity to apply for humanitarian visas, according to Burke. The team was eliminated from the tournament on Sunday after a loss to the Philippines.
The Iranian players’ silent protest during the national anthem before their match against South Korea drew swift condemnation from some corners, with one commentator on Iranian state broadcaster IRIB labeling it “the pinnacle of dishonour.”
The Australian government’s move followed comments from United States President Donald Trump, who stated on his Truth Social platform that he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the “delicate situation” facing the team. Trump claimed Albanese was “on it!” and that five players had already been granted visas, with more to follow.
“Some, however, feel they must move back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return,” Trump added.
Earlier, Trump had urged Albanese to “give ASYLUM” to the team, warning that allowing the players to be “forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed” would be a “terrible humanitarian mistake”.
Prime Minister Albanese confirmed Tuesday that he had a “very positive” phone call with Trump regarding the Iranian players.
“I was able to convey to him the action that we’d undertaken over the previous 48 hours, and that five of the team had asked for assistance and had received it and were safely located,” Albanese said. “Assistance remains available for the other members of the team, but it, of course, is a decision for them. If they make a decision to ask for support, they will receive it.”
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that five players had secretly left the team hotel with Australian police.
The team’s participation in the tournament coincided with escalating tensions, as the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on February 28, resulting in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and at least 1,255 more people over the course of a week.
While the team initially stood in silence during the anthem, they later sang it and offered a salute before their second match against Australia, raising concerns among human rights advocates that the players may have been pressured by government officials who had been providing close security during their time in Australia.
Global football players’ union FIFPRO had previously expressed serious concerns for the team’s welfare as they prepared to return home, labeling them “wartime traitors”.
Elijah Buol, CEO of Australian nonprofit organisation the Asylum Seekers Centre, hailed the decision to grant visas as a “compassionate and practical step that recognises the serious risks many Iranian people face if they are forced to return to Iran”.
Buol added, “this moment should be the start, not the end,” calling for attention to be given to the many Iranian asylum seekers already living in Australia who are still awaiting protection.
