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4h ago

Australia Grants Asylum to Iranian Women’s Players, Relocates Group After One Reverses

After one claimant contacted Iran’s embassy, Australian authorities moved the six remaining asylum seekers to a new secure location.

Members of the Iranian team who were granted asylum.
Iran's team pose for a group photo before the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 match between Iran and the Philippines in Gold Coast on March 8, 2026. TMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --
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Overview

  • Seven members of Iran’s women’s football delegation accepted humanitarian visas in Australia, but one later changed her mind, reducing the group to six.
  • Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said officials separated players from minders at the airport and privately offered humanitarian visas with a pathway to permanent residency.
  • Two additional acceptances — player Mohaddeseh Zolfi and support staffer Zahra Soltan Meshkeh Kar — followed five earlier grants to players including captain Zahra Ghanbari.
  • The rest of the squad departed for Kuala Lumpur under police presence as protesters in Australia attempted to block buses and urged authorities to keep the team from leaving.
  • Iran’s football federation alleged kidnapping and coercion, a claim Australia rejects as officials stress that decisions were made individually and without pressure.