Donald Trump used Truth Social to urge Australia to offer asylum to members of Iran’s women’s national football team after they stayed silent during the national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup, prompting denunciations on Iranian state television. Australian media later reported that five players had been granted asylum, while officials said other team members could seek help if they chose.
Iran’s women’s national football team drew attention during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia after players did not sing the Iranian national anthem before their opening match against South Korea on the Gold Coast on March 2, 2026, in what was widely interpreted as a silent protest against Iran’s leadership.
Iranian state television later aired criticism of the players, including remarks by presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi calling for harsher treatment of “traitors” during wartime. ABC News reported that under Iran’s penal code, charges such as corruption or treason can carry severe punishments, including the death penalty.
Australian broadcaster ABC News also reported concerns about conditions around the team in Australia, citing sources close to the squad who said staff connected to Iran’s government were embedded with the delegation and that players were believed to have restricted freedom of movement and limits on phone use.
In a subsequent match against Australia on March 5, players saluted and sang the anthem, a change that ABC News said was described to it as a directive from the Iranian regime.
Trump weighed in on March 9 with posts on Truth Social urging Australia to grant asylum, writing that Australia would be making a “terrible humanitarian mistake” if the team was forced back to Iran and calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “give ASYLUM.” Trump later posted that he had spoken with Albanese and claimed that “five have already been taken care of,” while some others felt compelled to return because of fears for relatives’ safety.
On March 9, ABC News reported that Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had met with five Iranian players and that the women had been granted asylum. ABC also quoted Albanese as saying Australia was willing to assist other women on the team if they wanted help, while describing the situation as delicate.
Advocates and commentators have urged football authorities to prioritize player safety. ABC News reported that the Asian Cup organizing committee said the safety and wellbeing of players, officials and fans was the tournament’s top priority.
Australian officials have also cautioned publicly about actions that could increase risks for the athletes and their families. In reporting cited by The Daily Wire, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia stood with Iranian women while warning against commentary that might place the team or relatives in greater danger.
ABC News reported that some people close to the squad believed seeking asylum would not be an option for many players because of potential reprisals against family members in Iran.
