Iran Womens Football Team Returns Home Amid Public Scrutiny and Concerns

Iranian Women’s Football Team Faces Uncertainty Upon Return to Australia

The Iranian women’s football team, which was eliminated from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Gold Coast, Australia, is set to return home amid concerns over their safety. The team’s global union and human rights activists are urging the Australian government and tournament organizers to extend the players’ stay in the host nation.

FIFPRO, representing professional footballers globally, expressed concern for the welfare of the Iranian players as they prepare to leave Australia. Beau Busch, FIFPRO’s president for Asia and Oceania, stated that the union had been unable to contact the players to discuss their potential asylum in Australia. The organization is working with FIFA, the AFC, and the Australian government to ensure the players’ safety.

A petition signed by over 66,000 people calls on the Australian government to prevent the players from leaving while credible fears for their safety remain. Images outside the team’s hotel showed the presence of Queensland Police Service vehicles and hotel security cordoning off a portion of the entrance.

The team’s head coach, Marziyeh Jafari, stated that the players want to return to Iran “as soon as we can.” Human rights activists and members of Australia’s Iranian community have voiced fears over the team’s wellbeing following their decision to salute and sing the national anthem before two games in the Asia Cup.

The Australian Ministry of Home Affairs declined to comment on the team’s travel plans, while the AFC did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment. The players’ safety remains a pressing concern as they prepare to return home after being labeled “wartime traitors” for refusing to sing their national anthem before an Asian Cup match.

Source: Al Jazeera