REPORTS VARYFive Iranian women footballers granted asylum in Australia after dramatic escape
Australian authorities successfully extracted five members of Iran's national team—including captain Zahra Ghanbari—from their accommodation and secured them safe passage to avoid return home following the recent attack on Ayatollah Khamenei, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke personally overseeing operations in Brisbane over 48 hours.
Key Points
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1Five members of Iran's women's soccer team have been granted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia after being extracted from their hotel.
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2The remaining players are still present and seeking asylum, with the full squad expected eventually leaving for safety if not already departed
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3Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that five Iranian footballers were safe following a police operation at night on March 10.
Developments
Seven players and staff from Australia have sought asylum while five others were granted humanitarian visas, prompting fears for their safety upon returning to Iran after playing in the Asian Cup. The remaining squad members reportedly left Gold Coast Airport under security escort following reports of threats against them by Iranian hardliners over a silent anthem gesture during an earlier match.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that five Iranian women soccer players are safe and have been granted humanitarian visas after escaping their team handlers on Australia's Gold Coast in March 2026. The escape occurred following reports of distress signals from a previous match, as the athletes had faced backlash for refusing to sing Iran's national anthem at an AFC Women's Asian Cup tournament earlier that year.