Iranian women’s soccer team returns home after declining asylum in Australia: report

Earlier this month, Australia granted asylum to 5 members of the Iranian women's shot squad who were visiting the state for a tourney erstwhile the U.S. and Israel launched a associated subject run against the country. The remaining members of the team, however, faced uncertainty.

After the squad was knocked retired of the Women’s Asian Cup, astir of the players that initially sought asylum aboriginal changed their minds.

On Wednesday, each but 2 yet returned to Iran aft declining asylum offers successful Australia, according to unconfirmed Iranian authorities media reports.

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Video circulating connected societal media showed the shot players entering Iran aft a formation landed successful Turkey. Those aforesaid athletes were antecedently seen traveling done the state by autobus soon aft the formation returned to Iran. Multiple officials were reportedly contiguous astatine the borderline erstwhile the shot squad arrived.

Members of Iran's women's shot squad committee a autobus astatine Igdir airdrome to scope Dogubeyazit, successful Igdir connected March 18, 2026. The Iranian women's nationalist shot squad landed astatine Istanbul Airport connected March 17, 2026, aft respective members of the delegation withdrew their asylum bids successful Australia. (Ali IHSAN OZTURK / AFP via Getty Images)

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were the 2 members of the Iranian nationalist squad who reportedly elected to enactment down successful Australia. Both person been grooming with the Brisbane Roar club.

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Iran’s squad arrived successful Australia for the tourney soon earlier the warfare began connected Feb. 28. The squad initially gained planetary attraction aft immoderate players stayed soundless during Iran’s nationalist anthem earlier their archetypal game.

Members of Iran's women's shot squad exit Igdir airport, waiting to scope Dogubeyazit, successful Igdir connected March 18, 2026. The Iranian women's nationalist shot squad landed astatine Istanbul Airport connected March 17, 2026, aft respective members of the delegation withdrew their asylum bids successful Australia. (Ali IHSAN OZTURK / AFP via Getty Images)

When the squad was knocked retired of the tourney and faced the imaginable of returning to a state nether bombardment, calls grew for Australia’s authorities to connection the women asylum. Iranian groups successful Australia and President Donald Trump were among those who expressed fears for the women’s safety.

Iranian archetypal Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref past week dismissed suggestions the women would beryllium unsafe if they returned home, saying the state "welcomes its children with unfastened arms and the authorities guarantees their security."

Trump besides commented connected the Iranian men’s team’s World Cup participation, suggesting past week that portion the squad is "welcome" to vie successful the U.S. aft qualifying, it mightiness not beryllium "appropriate."

Iran's players airs for a squad representation up of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia portion qualifiers radical A shot lucifer betwixt Iran and North Korea astatine the Azadi Sports Complex successful Tehran connected June 10, 2025. (ATTA KENARE/AFP)

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"The Iran National Soccer Team is invited to The World Cup, but I truly don’t judge it is due that they beryllium there, for their ain beingness and safety," Trump wrote successful a station to Truth Social station connected March 12.

Iran's men's squad is slated to play successful Inglewood, California, against New Zealand connected June 15. It is besides scheduled to look Belgium connected June 21 earlier finishing radical play against Egypt successful Seattle connected June 26. The U.S. is hosting the tourney with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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