How Iran’s women footballers took asylum in Australia and what happens next
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera breaks down the events surrounding the Iranian team – from the national anthem row to the players’ escape.
The Iranian women’s football team’s participation in the Asian Cup 2026 in Australia came to an end on Sunday, but the team’s journey at the tournament and in the country continues to create a stir after some of the players chose to seek asylum in the host nation.
The tournament began on March 1, a day after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran that killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as about 170 others, including many other military and political leaders and a number of students of an elementary school for girls.
Tehran responded by launching waves of missiles and drones at Israel, several military bases in the Middle East where US forces operate and at infrastructure in the region.
Iran played all their fixtures – on March 2, 5 and 8 – at the Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia.
When the team took the field for their first match of the tournament against South Korea, it was under great mental and emotional strain, with players choking back tears before the game.
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