Iran says women's soccer captain drops Australia asylum bid

"Zahra Ghanbari will head from Australia to Malaysia and from there fly back to Iran, Tehran's official IRNA news agency said. IRNA said Ghanbari, who is also Iran's all-time top female goal scorer, would now return 'to the warm embrace of the homeland.' But activists in Australia have voiced concern that the women and their families could face political persecution back in Iran after a recent government crackdown and amid an ongoing war."

"The players had been in the spotlight after declining to sing Iran's national anthem at their first match a move which led them to be branded as 'wartime traitors' by some conservative commentators at home. At their next two games, the team saluted during the national anthem, leading to speculation that they had been pressured into doing so."

"Amid increasing public attention and media speculation about the women's welfare under the watch of their minders, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke personally granted humanitarian visas to six players and one members of the team's staff. Last week, one player announced she had changed her mind, followed by two other players and the technical staff member, who also left on Saturday."

Zahra Ghanbari, captain and all-time top female goal scorer for Iran's women's soccer team, has withdrawn her asylum application in Australia and will return to Iran via Malaysia. Seven members of the Iranian women's soccer delegation initially claimed asylum after the team was eliminated from the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia. The players gained attention after refusing to sing Iran's national anthem at their first match, resulting in criticism from conservative commentators. Following humanitarian visa grants by Australia's Home Affairs Minister, five players and one staff member have since reversed their asylum decisions and plan to return home. Only two members remain in Australia. Activists express concerns about potential political persecution and safety risks for the returning players and their families given Iran's recent government crackdown.

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