Seven members of Iran’s women’s soccer team have been granted asylum in Australia after applying for humanitarian visas during the squad’s stay in the country. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed on Wednesday that two more individuals from the team had been granted asylum shortly before the rest of the unit left for Iran.
The development comes amid rising tensions in West Asia and concerns about the players’ safety if they return home. Iran’s women’s team traveled to Australia to take part in the Women’s Asian Cup, but their visit gained global attention after several players chose not to sing the Iranian national anthem before one of their matches.
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On Wednesday, Burke said Australia had ensured each member of the team was given the opportunity to make individual decisions about their future before leaving the country.
“Australia made the offer because we are so impressed with these women as individuals,” Burke said. “The choice that Australia has given, the choice of government officials who stand in front of you and say it’s up to you, is a choice that every individual should have the right to have.”
Burke explained that Australian officials approached the team members individually at border control to ensure they could consider the asylum offer in private.
“It was all about ensuring the dignity for these individuals to make that choice,” he said. “We couldn’t take away from these individuals the pressure of the context, what they might have been told beforehand, what pressures they might have felt on other family members.”
The minister added that those who chose to remain in Australia were granted temporary humanitarian visas that could eventually lead to permanent residency.
WHY DO IRANIAN WOMEN NEED ASYLUM IN AUSTRALIA?
The situation surrounding the Iranian team developed at a time of rising tension and conflict in the region after the Iran-Iran war began on 28 February. As the country faces military strikes and escalating instability, concerns have grown about the safety of players returning home.
The team’s attitude during the tournament also attracted attention. Before the opening match in Australia, several players did not sing the national anthem, a moment many observers interpreted as a silent protest.
Acknowledging the symbolic nature of the moment, Burke said it resonated far beyond the stadium.
“When these players fell silent at the start of their first game in Australia, that silence was heard like a roar around the world,” Burke said. “We responded by saying the invitation is there. You can be safe in Australia.”
Despite offers from Australian officials, most of the team eventually decided to return to Iran. Burke said some players contacted family members back home while considering the offer, but ultimately decided to travel with the rest of the team.
The minister also clarified that not every member of the team was offered visas because some individuals had links to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guards.
WHY WAS THE IRANIAN SOCCER TEAM IN AUSTRALIA?
The Iranian women’s football team traveled to Australia to compete in the Women’s Asian Cup, which was held in several cities in the country. The unit arrived before the conflict escalated in the region.
During the tournament, the team became a major talking point in Australia and received strong support from the Iranian communities living in the country. Protests were held outside the team’s hotel and at the airport as some activists urged the players not to return to Iran due to concerns for their safety.
The team finally left Sydney late on Tuesday after being kicked out of the tournament earlier in the week. Their departure came amid emotional scenes and intense public debate over whether the players should remain in Australia.
But Iranian officials insisted the players would be safe when they returned home. Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, said the government would welcome them back and criticized outside interference, especially by US President Donald Trump in this matter.
The episode attracted worldwide attention and highlighted again how political tensions and international conflicts can intersect with the world of sport.
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Issued by:
Nitsky Singh
Published on:
11 March 2026 07:02 IST
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