Three More Iranian Women Footballers Withdraw Asylum Bids In Australia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) – Three more Iranian women’s national football players who competed in the Women’s Asian Cup have withdrawn their asylum applications in Australia.

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the three members “firmly rejected Australia's residency offers and opted to rejoin Iran, set to reunite with their teammates shortly.

“… two players and one technical staff member from the national women’s football team have abandoned their asylum applications in Australia and are now travelling to Malaysia, heading toward the warm embrace of their families and nation,” the news report said.

On March 11, media reported that seven members of Iran’s women’s national football team who participated in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign in Australia had sought asylum, citing fears of persecution upon returning to Iran after refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match against South Korea on March 3.

Australia reportedly granted humanitarian visas to the seven players last week after they sought asylum. However, one later changed her mind and asked to return to Iran.

So far, four of the seven players have decided to leave Australia.

The players had initially been scheduled to return to Iran after the tournament, but supporters raised concerns over their safety following the team’s decision not to sing the national anthem before the match.

The move also drew criticism from some commentators in Iran, with one conservative commentator reportedly accusing the team of being “wartime traitors” and calling for harsh punishment.

Footage circulating on social media showed members of the squad arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11. They expected to return to Iran, subject to flight availability and the reopening of the country’s airspace.

According to the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran, Iranian passport holders who are travelling to Malaysia on their national passports do not require a visa for stays of up to 30 days.

-- BERNAMA