US President Donald Trump has cautioned Australia against sending Iranian women footballers back to Iran, as concerns grow over their safety during the ongoing Women’s Asian Cup in Gold Coast, Queensland. Reports say five members of Iran’s women’s national team have fled their team hotel in Australia and are currently being kept in a secure location under the protection of the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The players remained in Australia after their unsuccessful tournament run, but their situation has sparked international concern. Activists and supporters are urging authorities not to force the athletes to return to Iran, warning that they could face imprisonment or even execution, particularly as tensions escalate with Iran currently engaged in conflict with the United States and Israel.
Before their opening match against South Korea, the Iranian players stood silently during the country’s national anthem. Although the players never publicly explained their actions, Iran’s government later labelled them “wartime traitors”.
According to a CNN report, the team was compelled to sing the national anthem before their second group-stage match on Thursday and again before their final game against the Philippines on Sunday, which they lost 2–0. During those matches, the players also reportedly gave a military salute while singing the anthem.
After their final group-stage match, supporters gathered around the team bus, shouting at police officers, ‘Save our Girls’, before authorities eventually moved them away from the scene.
اعضای تیم ملی فوتبال زنان ایران پس از اقدام شجاعانهشان در خودداری از خواندن سرود رژیم، با فشارهای شدید و تهدیدهای مداوم از سوی جمهوری اسلامی روبهرو هستند و در صورت بازگشت به ایران ممکن است با پیامدهای بسیار جدی مواجه شوند.
— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) March 8, 2026
من از دولت استرالیا میخواهم امنیت آنان را تضمین کند و… https://t.co/YZzVOX6CIO
The issue has also drawn attention from Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former shah. In a post on social media platform X, Pahlavi urged the Australian government to guarantee the safety of the five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, warning that they could face serious consequences if they return to Iran.
“As a result of their brave act of civil disobedience in refusing to sing the current regime’s national anthem, they face dire consequences should they return to Iran,” Pahlavi posted on X. “I call on the Australian government to ensure their safety and give them any and all needed support.”
Trump urges Australian government to grant Iranian players asylum
In the latest development, US President Donald Trump has also urged Australian authorities not to send the Iranian players back to their country. Trump called on Australia’s prime minister and officials to grant them asylum, arguing that returning them could put their lives at risk.
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. Thank you for your attention…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) March 9, 2026
Posting on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote:
“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…” Trump wrote.
