Most members of Iran’s women’s national football team departed Australia on Tuesday after competing in the Asian Cup, with only a small number of players choosing to remain in the country under humanitarian protection.
Australian authorities confirmed that seven players were initially granted humanitarian visas, allowing them to seek permanent asylum in Australia.
However, after a series of emotional discussions and last-minute consultations at Sydney Airport, most members of the squad decided to return to Iran.
Officials held private meetings with each player shortly before departure, providing interpreters and explaining that they were free to remain in Australia if they feared returning home.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described the conversations as deeply emotional and said the government wanted to ensure that every player could make a decision without pressure.
According to Burke, one of the players who had earlier chosen to stay in Australia later changed her mind and opted to return to Iran with the rest of the team. The remaining players who decided to stay were relocated to secure accommodation and will receive support, including housing, health services and assistance with resettlement.
The issue attracted international attention during the tournament when several Iranian players remained silent while the national anthem was played before their opening match.
Observers widely interpreted the gesture as a form of protest, though the players themselves did not publicly comment on the act.
Iranian-Australian community groups had warned that the players might face repercussions upon their return to Iran, particularly given the tense situation in the country following the outbreak of war in late February.
Australia’s government said it made every effort to provide the athletes with a safe choice, including allowing them to make private phone calls and separating them from team officials during the decision-making process.
Despite criticism from US President Donald Trump over Australia’s handling of the situation, Australian officials said discussions about asylum had been ongoing with the players before the team’s departure.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities insisted the athletes would not face punishment and that they would be protected upon their return.
The Asian Football Confederation later confirmed that the Iranian squad had travelled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where arrangements were being made for their onward journey home.
