Australia grants asylum to Iranian women’s soccer players following appeals from President Trump, Israel and others

Five female soccer players from Iran whose lives were in danger after refusing to sing the national anthem of the Islamic Regime have been granted asylum in Australia.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced last night on 𝕏, “Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian Women’s Soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here.”

Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezani-Zadeh, and Mona Hamoudi were denounced as traitors by Iranian state media after their defiant refusal to sing the anthem, “Sorude Melliye Jomhuriye Eslamiye Iran,” which glorifies the 1979 Islamic Revolution, at the Asian Women’s World Cup on Monday.

The women were later forced to perform the anthem ahead of their two subsequent matches, and to make the Iranian military salute, according to CNN. A video circulating on social media appears to show the women signing for help as their coach is being driven away after their match against the Philippines.

Initially, it seemed that the Australian government was going to send the players back to Iran despite the danger to their lives, but influential voices, including politicians in Israel and U.S. President Donald Trump, urged Australia to reconsider.

"Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t," wrote Trump on Monday.

Israel’s Innovation, Science, and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel also wrote to the Australian ambassador in Israel: “I am writing to you with urgency and deep concern following appeals from members of the Iranian women’s national football team, who are seeking international assistance in order to avoid returning to Iran, a country where there is a real threat to their freedom and even to their lives,” the Jerusalem Post reported. 

“These are courageous women who seek only the most basic right to live without fear,” wrote Gamliel.

The appeals, joined by many others, appear to have accomplished their goal. The women have now all been granted humanitarian visas following threats of harsh reprisals.

Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian Women’s Soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here. pic.twitter.com/2JQp9q9Z8W

— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) March 9, 2026

Just a couple of hours after his initial post on Truth Social, Trump announced, “I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team,” he wrote. “He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.”

The Australian Prime Minister said that the Australian Federal Police had stepped in once it became clear the women wanted help, and that Australia is ready to help other Iranian players who might also need asylum.

“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women. They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here,’’ Mr Albanese said.

He continued, “The AFP had plans in place with Commissioner Krissy Barrett directly involved. Once it was made clear that these women wanted assistance, the Australian Federal Police moved them to a safe location where they remain.”

“We’re willing to provide assistance to other women in the team, noting that this is a very delicate situation, and it is up to them. But we say to them, if you want our help, help is here, and we will provide that,” Mr. Albanese clarified.