3 more Iranian women footballers leave Australia after withdrawing asylum

ISTANBUL

Three more members of the Iranian national football team, who withdrew the asylum granted by the Australian government, have left for Iran, local media reports said on Sunday.

Earlier this week, seven members of the football team who were in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup tournament were granted humanitarian visas — but one member decided to return to Iran, hours after accepting the offer, local broadcaster SBS News reported.

Later, another three members, who had initially accepted asylum, also decided to return to Iran.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, in a statement on Sunday, said the Iranian players were given "repeated chances" to talk about their options, but the players chose to join the rest of the team on their journey back to Iran.

"The Australian government has done everything we could to make sure these women were provided with the chance for a safe future in Australia," he added.

The departing members were photographed by Iranian media in Malaysia, where they are reportedly en route to Tehran.

A photograph of the trio in an airport terminal in Malaysia is being circulated by Iran's Tasnim news agency.

"After being in Malaysia and joining the other Iranian women's national football players, these three will travel to Tehran in the coming days to once again be in the warm embrace of their families and homeland," the agency said on Sunday.

The three departing members were identified as Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali, and Zahra Meshkinkar.

Iran’s women’s national football team competed in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup hosted in Australia, drawing international attention after players staged a silent protest against Tehran’s government by standing quietly during the national anthem before their opening match.

The team was later eliminated from the tournament.