Trump asks Australia to grant asylum to Iran's women's national team

In the midst of their trip to the 2026 AFC Asian Women’s Cup, held in Australia, the Iranian women’s national team watched from afar as the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against the Asian nation, resulting in the death of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei. After losing all three games, Iran have been eliminated and now face a trip home. However, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, asked the Prime Minister of Australia to grant them asylum and prevent them from returning to the United States.

“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing Iran’s women’s national soccer team to be forced back into Iran, where they will most likely die. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, grant them asylum. The United States will accept them if you don’t. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” the US president wrote on his social media account, Truth.

The global players’ union FIFPRO said on Monday there were serious concerns for the welfare of the team as they prepared to return home after being labeled for refusing to sing their national anthem before a match.

The decision by the players to remain silent during Iran’s national anthem before their first match against South Korea was described by a commentator on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting as the “pinnacle of dishonor.”

Despite the players’ protest, they all sang the anthem before their second match against the Australian team, which quickly sparked speculation about whether they had been threatened by the Iranian government.

Crowds chased a bus carrying Iran’s women’s national football team in Australia, chanting “save our girls” and calling for asylum for the players after they refused to sing the national anthem at the Asian Cup.

Five players deserted

According to the New York Times, five soccer players deserted the team and were taken to a safe house operated by the Australian Federal Police.

The operation took place after Iran’s final match of the Women’s Asian Cup against the Philippines in Australia, and police helped the five people leave the hotel early Monday afternoon, local time.

“Let me say just one thing: traitors in times of war must be dealt with more severely,” said broadcaster Mohammad Reza Shahbazi on state television in footage verified by The Athletic. “Anyone who takes a step against the country in wartime must be dealt with more severely.”

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