Australia grants asylum to five Iran women players after Asian Cup controversy

Australia has granted asylum to five members of Iran’s women’s football team, its Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed.

United States president Donald Trump had urged Australia to act, with fears the team could face persecution if they returned to Iran after they did not sing the national anthem before their first match at the Asian Cup in Gold Coast.

In normal circumstances, their return home would be imminent, with the team exiting at the group stage after Sunday’s defeat to the Philippines.

President Trump had said the US would grant asylum to the players if Australia did not.

In a subsequent post on his social media platform Truth Social, he praised Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese for taking action after the two leaders spoke on the phone.

Burke confirmed the formal process for them to remain had now been signed off.

“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,” Burke said on X.

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

Reports circulated on Monday that Australian Federal Police (AFP) had assisted five members of the squad in leaving the team base and entering a safe house following the team’s exit from the Asian Cup on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference in Brisbane on Tuesday morning, Burke confirmed the five players had been “moved to a safe location by the Australian Federal Police”, where their meeting took place.

“I signed off last night for their applications to go onto humanitarian visas, and a