Australia Agrees To Provide Visas To Five Iranian Women, Here’s Why

5 women from the Iranian football team refused to sing the national anthem during a match.

In a positive development, 5 individuals from the Iranian women’s football team have been granted Australian visas. Those women reportedly refused to sing the Iranian national anthem before their first match at an Asian Cup tournament. Australia’s move will allow them to stay in the country, as they could potentially be punished upon returning to Iran. Read on to know more details about the same.

Australia Agrees To Provide Visas To 5 Iranian Women 

According to reports, Tony Burke, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, revealed on Monday that they have informed the five individuals that they are welcome to stay in the country, adding that they are safe in Australia and they should feel at home. The members of the football team are Captain Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh. Burke further said that the rest of the Iranian players, who are visiting the country for the Asia Football Confederation Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in Queensland, are at the Gold Coast’s hotel. He also mentioned that the other team players have been offered a chance to stay in Australia. When the five women refused to sing Iran’s national anthem during their match against South Korea, they were referred to as “pinnacle of dishonour” by a commentator on their country’s IRIB state broadcaster.

Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian Women’s Soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here. pic.twitter.com/2JQp9q9Z8W

— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) March 9, 2026

It was also reported that while they didn’t sing Iran’s national anthem during their first match, they did sing it during their second game against Australia. This sparked concerns among the human rights campaigners, who believed that the individuals were coerced by the government minders, who reportedly escorted those women everywhere in Australia. It’s important to mention that the Iranian football team participated in the tournament just when the United States attacked Iran, which also killed their Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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More Details

The news about Australia providing the visa to the players surfaced after US President Donald Trump mentioned speaking to the Australian PM Anthony Albanese. On this Truth Social platform, he wrote that the five individuals have been taken care of and the rest are on their way. Trump also shared that some individuals felt that they must go back because they were worried about their family’s safety, including threats to those family members if they did not return to Iran.

On Tuesday, the Australian PM revealed to the reporters the “positive” phone call he had with Trump about the matter. He also shared that the assistance from their end remains available for other team members, but it is a decision for them. If they decide to ask for support, they will receive the same.

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First Published: March 10, 2026 4:57 PM