Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five members of the Iran women’s national football team after the players requested protection while in the country.
The players are in Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Australian authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the visas were issued after the players sought assistance due to concerns about returning to Iran.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the players are safe in Australia and that support remains available to other members of the team if they choose to seek help.
“Australians have been moved by the plight of these women,” Albanese said during a press conference in Canberra. “They are safe here, and they should feel at home here.”
Reports indicated that five players left the team hotel on the Gold Coast with assistance from Australian police. The remaining members of the squad are still staying at the hotel.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke later confirmed the identities of the five players as Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanizadeh. Burke said discussions between the government and the players had taken place over several days before the visas were granted.
He added that the offer of assistance remains open to other members of the team, although it is possible that not all players will choose to accept it.
The development follows communication between United States President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Albanese regarding the situation. Trump said he spoke to the Australian leader shortly before 2am local time and discussed the status of the team members seeking protection.
Trump later stated that five players had already received assistance, while other players were considering their options. He also said some members of the team were concerned about the safety of family members in Iran if they chose not to return.
The Iranian women’s national team was competing in the Asian Cup tournament hosted in Australia. The team was eliminated from the competition on Sunday after losing 2-0 to the Philippines.
During the tournament, the team attracted international attention after players stood in silence during the Iranian national anthem before their opening match against South Korea. Iranian state media later criticised the action.
According to Iranian officials, the five players left the hotel through a rear exit with police support. Iranian authorities said they had contacted the country’s embassy and football federation to determine the next steps.
Iranian media also reported that the remaining players had planned to travel back to Iran through Dubai, although the United Arab Emirates did not permit the route. Alternative travel plans through Malaysia and Turkey were being considered.
Before their second match in the tournament against Australia, the Iranian team sang the national anthem and saluted. Human rights organisations expressed concerns that the players may have faced pressure to do so.
Australia has previously granted humanitarian visas to athletes. In 2021 the country provided emergency visas to members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team after the Taliban returned to power and banned women’s sport.
The Australian government has not confirmed whether further visas will be issued, but officials said assistance remains available to members of the Iranian squad who request it.
