Three Iranian women soccer players to return home after seeking asylum in Australia

Published 15 Mar, 2026 12:09pm 2 min read
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke poses with Iranian women’s soccer team support worker Zahra Soltan Meshkeh Kar and team player Mohaddeseh Zolfi, who were granted asylum overnight, in Australia. – Reuters
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke poses with Iranian women’s soccer team support worker Zahra Soltan Meshkeh Kar and team player Mohaddeseh Zolfi, who were granted asylum overnight, in Australia. – Reuters

Three members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who had ​sought asylum in Australia have decided to return to ‌Iran, Australia’s government said on Sunday.

Australia granted humanitarian visas to seven Iranian footballers last week after they sought asylum, saying they feared persecution ​if they returned home after they failed to sing ​the national anthem at a Women’s Asian Cup match.

Four ⁠of the seven members have decided to leave Australia ​so far. Another member changed her mind last week.

“After telling Australian officials ​they had made this decision, the players were given repeated chances to talk about their options,” Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said ​in a statement.

“While the Australian Government can ensure that opportunities ​are provided and communicated, we cannot remove the context in which the ‌players ⁠are making these incredibly difficult decisions,” he added.

The Iranian Football Association (FFIRI) named the players as Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali and Zahra Meshkehkar.

“After arriving in Malaysia and joining the rest ​of Iran’s women’s ​national football team, ⁠the three players will travel to Tehran in the coming days to once again be ​embraced by their families and homeland,” FFIRI added ​in ⁠a statement.

The Iranian team’s campaign in the Asian Cup started just as the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing ⁠the ​Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali ​Khamenei.

They were eliminated from the tournament last Sunday.

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