Megan Rapinoe praises Iranian women's soccer team's 'bravery' after facing criticism

World champion Iranian wrestler Sardar Pashaei weighs in on the situation involving Iran’s women’s soccer players being forced to return home, and reveals how the regime treats other female athletes.

Former U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe spoke out in support of the Iranian women’s soccer team amid the players’ trials and tribulations over the last few weeks while competing in Australia.

The Iranian women’s soccer team was in Australia earlier this month to compete in the Women’s Asian Cup. Players were seen refusing to sing their country’s national anthem as the U.S. and Israel launched a joint military campaign on the Iranian regime. The players were dubbed "wartime traitors" by an Iranian broadcaster for their decisions during the tournament.

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Retired United States soccer player Megan Rapinoe looks on before a SheBelieves Cup match against Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026, in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)

Australian officials then raced to try to get the players asylum in the country. At least two players stayed in Australia while the rest of the team made it back to Iran.

Rapinoe praised the "bravery and courage" of the women.

"I’m just thinking about this in the context of, like, the immense pressure that these young adults and these young women are under to make a decision like this," she said on the "A Touch More" podcast. "Like, the incredible courage and bravery it would take knowing what that could potentially mean for their family back home. The bravery and courage to protest the national anthem, basically in protest of the Iranian regime and not singing the national anthem during a match. The stress and