After the Iranian women’s national soccer team’s third match of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup group stage match, five national team players reportedly defected and are currently in protective custody by Australian police. The defection follows a tumultuous week for the team following the joint US-Israeli military offensive against Iran on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and killed more than 1,300 civilians in the country. Ahead of the air raid, the national team traveled to Australia for a competition, but the war felt as if it was on the other side of the world.
During the pre-game routine ahead of the first match against South Korea on March 2, the Lionesses stood quietly while the Iranian national anthem was played, a prolonged gesture by Iranian players often interpreted as a form of protest against the regime. Islamic Republic of Iran broadcaster Mohammed Reza Shabazi called the team “wartime traitors” on air and said they should be dealt with “more severely” because of the timing of the national protests, just 48 hours after Khamenei’s death.
Shahbazi’s threatening messages delivered on state TV devices, as well as the general unrest in the country while the US and Israeli attacks continue, appear to have had an impact on the players. In the second and third group matches against Australia and the Philippines, players raised their hands, gave military salutes, and sang the national anthem.
After the match against the Philippines, a crowd surrounded the Iranian team bus as it prepared to depart from a Gold Coast hotel for the airport, chanting “Save our girls!” and “Let them go!” Like many Iranian fans during the game, some of those surrounding the team bus held flags of the former Islamic Republic of Iran, a symbol of opposition to the current government. According to Australia’s ABC News, police intervened but no one was injured.
After the incident at the hotel, Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari said “we want to return to Iran as soon as possible” but the team remained in Australia as of press time. Now, it seems unlikely that the entire team will be able to return, as five members of the team are said to have escaped from a safe house run by the Australian Federal Police. The removal of the players from their hotels on Monday evening local time follows emergency talks on the players’ safety involving the Australian government, the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA. According to human rights activist Minoo Ghamari: Sydney Morning HeraldFive North Korean defectors plan to seek asylum in Australia. The World Football Association Federation (FIFPRO) released a statement in support of the team on Monday. Beau Busch, president of the Asia and Oceania union, said the union had been unable to contact players directly.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who precipitated this whole situation with attacks including a school bombing that killed dozens of Iranian schoolgirls, tried to put pressure on Australia on Monday to stop them from taking the players and returning to Iran, where he said they would be killed. “If you don’t, America will take them,” Trump added.
