Fear, uncertainty surround Iran women’s football team’s return home | Football News
Concerns Grow Over Iranian Women’s Football Team Amid Ongoing Countrywide Conflict
Gold Coast, Australia — Uncertainty regarding the safety of the Iranian women’s football team has intensified as they prepare to return home from Australia amidst the conflict involving Israel and the United States.
The Iranian team faced elimination from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 following a defeat against the Philippines last Sunday. However, the primary focus has shifted from their on-field performance to the concerns surrounding their safety during their return journey.
FIFPRO, the global union representing professional footballers, voiced severe worries about the team’s wellbeing after they faced backlash for not singing the national anthem ahead of a match. The union called on the Australian government and the tournament organizers to extend the players’ stay in the host country.
“The reality at the moment is that we’re unable to get in touch with the players. That’s incredibly concerning. It has been challenging since repression increased in Iran,” said Beau Busch, FIFPRO’s president for Asia and Oceania. The organization is collaborating with FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and Australian authorities to ensure the safety and agency of the players regarding their future decisions.
A petition urging the Australian government to protect the players from returning home has garnered over 66,000 signatures. The Ministry of Home Affairs indicated it would not comment on the team’s travel plans, while the AFC did not respond to inquiries.
Images captured outside the team’s hotel in Gold Coast showed police and security presence, indicating heightened concerns surrounding the team.
Players Express Desire to Return Home
Despite the concerns raised, the players have not publicly expressed fears for their safety. Head coach Marziyeh Jafari emphasized their eagerness to return to Iran, stating, “I want to be with my country and home. We are eager to come back.”
However, human rights activists in Australia are worried about the team’s safety, particularly after the players sang the national anthem during their previous matches but chose silence in their tournament opener. This change in behavior led to accusations of disloyalty, with an Iranian state broadcaster presenter labeling them “wartime traitors.”
In a viral statement, Mohammad Reza Shahbazi criticized the players for their actions, declaring that those deemed traitors during wartime should face severe consequences.
A video posted online showed protesters chanting “Let them go” as the team bus left the stadium after Sunday’s match, reflecting the public’s growing concern for the players.
No further training sessions or appearances are scheduled for Iran’s team, with the tournament set to conclude on March 21. The ongoing conflict, which escalated after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, has resulted in significant loss of life, including the tragic deaths of 165 children in a targeted attack on a school.
