Overview
- The squad reached Istanbul and crossed into Iran over land on March 18 after routing through Malaysia and Oman due to war-related airspace closures.
- Five of the seven delegation members who sought protection in Australia later withdrew their applications and departed, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, according to Iranian state media.
- Two players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, remain in Brisbane and are training with A-League club Brisbane Roar with support from the club and Australian authorities.
- Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke said humanitarian visas and options were provided but noted the government could not remove the broader context shaping the athletes’ decisions.
- Human-rights advocates and experts are urging international monitoring of the returning players and calling on FIFA to engage, citing reports of pressure on families and messages relayed by a team staffer.