By Missing Perspectives, with additional reporting Charlotte Graham-McLay and R.J. Rico (Associated Press)
Some activists and community leaders have urged both Australia’s government, as well as key sporting governing bodies and organisations, to prioritise the welfare of all players of the Iranian women’s soccer team, who arrived in Australia to participate in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup before the Iran war began.
In the wake of Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announcing on Tuesday morning (Australian time) that Australia granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, Craig Foster emphasised the uncertainty surrounding the rest of the team’s future, telling Missing Perspectives: “There are still a number at risk and immediate concerns as to the likelihood of forced removal from Australia of the remaining group”.
Foster, a former Socceroos captain and now human rights advocate, was instrumental in helping the Afghan Women’s National Football Team escape Afghanistan when the Taliban captured Kabul in 2021. Speaking to Missing Perspectives on Tuesday, he said the Iranian women’s soccer team – that lost its last group match at the Women’s Asian Cup on Sunday – had “been used as political tools” over the past few days.
“These courageous women have been used as political tools throughout the entire week and we should ensure that this doesn’t continue. In these situations, many governments are involved and Aussies should ensure that the women’s care and protection is the only consideration,” he said.
“There are still a number at risk and immediate concerns as to the likelihood of forced removal from Australia of the remaining group. All stakeholders, whether football or government need to ensure that Australian law on anti-trafficking is followed and that all players are provided with agency and advised of their rights by independent parties.”
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
In a statement issued to CNN Sports, a FIFA spokesperson said: “The safety and security of IR Iran’s women’s national team are FIFA’s priority, and we therefore remain in close contact with the AFC and the relevant Australian authorities, including Football Australia, in relation to the team’s situation”.
On Tuesday afternoon, AFC (Asian Football Confederation) declined to make a new comment when contacted by Missing Perspectives, referring MP to a statement issued the previous Friday:
“The safety and wellbeing of all players, officials and fans is the top priority for the tournament,” an AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Local Organising Committee spokesperson said.
“All participating teams are supported by the AFC, the Local Organising Committee and relevant authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment during their stay in Australia.
“Matters relating to visas or immigration are handled by the Australian Government, and it would be inappropriate for tournament organisers to comment on those processes. As these matters fall outside the scope of the tournament and the responsibilities of its organisers, no further comment will be provided.“
The Australian government’s announced on Tuesday followed days of urging by Iranian groups in Australia and by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Australia to offer help to the women, who had not spoken publicly about a wish to claim asylum. The team drew widespread speculation and news coverage in Australia when players didn’t sing the Iranian anthem before their first match.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Australian federal police officers transported five of the women from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia “to a safe location” after they made asylum requests. There, they met with Burke and the processing of their humanitarian visas was finalised, the minister told reporters in Brisbane hours later.
“I don’t want to begin to imagine how difficult that decision is for each of the individual women, but certainly last night it was joy, it was relief,” said Burke, who posted photos to social media of the women smiling and clapping as he signed documents. “People were very excited about embarking on a life in Australia.”
The women granted asylum were happy for their names and pictures to be published, he said. Burke added that the players wanted to make clear that they were “not political activists.”
The Iranian team arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup last month, before the Iran war began. The team was knocked out of the tournament over the weekend and faced the prospect of returning to a country under bombardment. Iran’s head coach Marziyeh Jafari on Sunday said the players “want to come back to Iran as soon as we can,” according to Australian news agency AAP.
An official squad list named 26 players, plus Jafari and other coaching staff. Burke said the offer of asylum was extended to all on the team.
“These women are tremendously popular in Australia, but we realise they are in a terribly difficult situation with the decisions that they’re making,” Burke said. “The opportunity will continue to be there for them to talk to Australian officials if they wish to.”
It was not clear when the remaining players were due to leave Australia.
Burke didn’t detail what threats the players faced if they returned to Iran. During the tournament, the women have mostly declined to comment on the situation at home, although Iran forward Sara Didar choked back tears in a news conference on Wednesday as she shared their concerns for their families, friends and all Iranians during the conflict.
The Iranian team has drawn national news coverage in Australia after the players’ silence during the anthem before an opening loss to South Korea last week was viewed by some as an act of resistance and others as a show of mourning. The team hasn’t clarified. They later sang and saluted during the anthem before their remaining two matches.
“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters Tuesday. “They’re safe here and they should feel at home here.”
Albanese said Australian officials had made offers of support “clear” to the athletes.
“They then had to consider that and do it in a way that did not present any danger to them or to their families and friends back home in Iran,” he added.
Australia’s announcement came after Trump on Monday in Washington called on Australia to grant asylum to any team member who wanted it. Earlier that day, Trump had lambasted Australia on social media, saying Australia was “making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the … team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed.” Trump called on Australia to grant the team asylum, adding: “The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”
Less than two hours later, in another social media post, Trump praised Albanese, saying, “He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.”
The president’s offer of asylum represented something of a change for Trump, whose administration has sought to limit the number of immigrants who can receive asylum for political purposes.
Albanese said Trump had called him for “a very positive conversation” about the matter. The Australian PM had explained “the action that we’d undertaken over the previous 48 hours” to support the women.
Top photos – AP with additional design by Missing Perspectives