Three members of Iran’s women’s national football team, who previously received humanitarian visas in Australia, have decided to return to their homeland. The development reduces the number of players remaining in Australia from the original pool of seven to three.
The Iranian team traveled to Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup last month before tensions escalated in the Middle East on February 28. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the latest departures in a statement on Sunday. Speaking about the situation, Burke said the players were given several chances to reconsider their decision before leaving.
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“Three members of the Iranian women’s soccer team decided overnight to join the rest of the team on their way back to Iran,” Burke said.
The minister added that the Australian authorities had ensured players had the opportunity to fully understand their options before travelling.
“After telling Australian officials they had made this decision, the players were given a repeated chance to talk about their options,” Burke said.
According to Iranian state media, it later said two players and one support staff member were among the three individuals leaving Australia.
WHY WERE MEMBERS IN AUSTRALIA?
The Iran women’s football team traveled to Australia with a 26-man squad to participate in the Women’s Asian Cup.
After the escalation of tensions in the Middle East six players and one support staff member initially accepted humanitarian visas offered by the Australian authorities to allow them to remain in the country. The rest of the Iranian contingent flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on 9 March.
The situation first attracted attention when five players left the team hotel on the Gold Coast overnight and turned to Australian authorities for protection. Police later took them to a safe location where they met with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who granted them humanitarian visas allowing them to stay in Australia.
The Australian government later identified the players as captain Zahra Ghanbari, midfielders Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali Alishah and Mona Hamoudi, along with defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh.
Authorities have also confirmed that the remaining members of the Iranian contingent have been offered the same option if they wish to stay.
The team already attracted global attention during the Asian Cup when several players stood in silence during the Iranian national anthem before their opening match against South Korea.
The players never publicly explained the incident. In later matches during the tournament, they again sang the national anthem and saluted the national flag.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry also criticized the involvement of foreign governments. Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused the United States and Australia of meddling and urged the players to return to Iran.
With the three players now heading back home, only three members of the original group who have accepted humanitarian visas remain in Australia.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
15 March 2026 10:30 AM IST
