Report: 5 defectors from Iran’s women’s soccer team to Australia

While the United States, Israel, and Iran are waging war in the Middle East, it has been reported that five players from the Iranian women’s national soccer team defected after the Women’s Asian Cup match held in Australia.

The Iranian team has been in Australia since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28, and it is unclear where the rest of the team will go.

“The safety and security of the IR Iran women’s national team is a top priority for FIFA,” a FIFA spokesperson told CNN Sports on Monday. “We are therefore in close contact with the relevant Australian authorities, including the AFC and Soccer Australia, regarding the team’s situation.”

Iranian government media called the players who reportedly defected “wartime traitors” and said, “Anyone who takes steps against the country in a war situation should be dealt with more severely.”

Following the men’s national team, the women’s national team did not sing the Iranian national anthem in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup. But in the next two games, the team sang the national anthem and gave the military salute amid reported pressure.

President Donald Trump posted about the Iranian women’s team on his Truth Social platform on Monday and also said he spoke to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“He’s doing it!” Trump posted. “Five have already been processed and the rest are on their way. But some feel they must return because they fear for the safety of their families, including threats to their families if they do not return.”

Trump previously told Truth Social that instead of returning to Iran, where the players would most likely be killed, “America will take them if you don’t want them.”

“Personally, I want to return to my country as soon as possible to be with my compatriots and family,” Iran women’s national team coach Marziye Jaafari, the 2025 AFC Coach of the Year, said after Sunday’s game.

–Field level media