President Donald Trump said on Monday he spoke with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has agreed to grant the Iranian national women’s soccer team.
Trump said five players have been granted asylum, and the other members are in the process of gaining such protection. He added that some members denied refuge because they are worried about their families.
“Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return.” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!”
Previously, Trump urged the Australian government to allow the players to stay, warning they could face severe repercussions from Iranian authorities if they returned, as Iranian state media has labeled the players traitors.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed,” Trump said in the post. “Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”
The situation stems from the players’ actions during the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, where the Iranian team drew international attention after players refused to sing their national anthem before a match.
The silent protest was widely interpreted as a sign of defiance against Iran’s government during the war.
Iranian state media later labeled the players as “wartime traitors,” intensifying fears they could face punishment upon returning home. Ahead of the subsequent match, the players sang along to the national anthem.
After the team was eliminated from the tournament on Sunday, five members of the team reportedly left the hotel where the team was staying and sought refuge in Australia, prompting calls for the Australian government to grant asylum.
The five players who left are Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi.
Israeli Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel called on Australia to grant the women asylum, saying returning them to Iran could endanger their lives and urging domestic nations to protect athletes who take political risks.
Local news outlets reported that the players are with Australian police in a safe location and are receiving support from the Iranian-Australian community.
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi had also shared updates on the players, calling them supporters of the Iranian opposition movement that backs him.
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“These five courageous athletes, currently in a safe location, have announced that they have joined Iran’s national Lion and Sun Revolution,” Pahlavi shared on X.
The Iranian women’s soccer team’s campaign in the tournament began at the same time the United States and Israeli forces launched airstrikes in Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.