The women – captain Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi – fled their accommodation fearing persecution after refusing to sing Iran's national anthem at the Asian Cup. Chaotic scenes followed outside the stadium when protesters surrounded the team bus, chanting for the players to be allowed to stay in Australia. The situation quickly escalated into an international diplomatic issue after US President Donald Trump intervened publicly, urging Australia to provide asylum to the players. Authorities in Australia have not confirmed whether the newly missing players are seeking asylum or whether they have been located. The anthem incident on the Gold Coast isn't the first time an Iranian national team has staged a protest about the regime that runs the country.

Source: Daily Mail March 10, 2026 01:24 UTC