15.3.2026
Captain of the Iranian national women team Zahra Ghanbari is prepared to return to her home country, joining five others who previously seek refuge in Australia after they were knocked out of AFC Asian Women’s Cup.
Zahra like the others withdrew her request for asylum. Iran’s official news agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Ghanbari will travel from Australia to Malaysia before flying back to Iran.
Seven members of the Iranian women’s football delegation had initially sought sanctuary in Australia after controversy erupted when the players refused to sing Iran’s national anthem during a tournament match. The move sparked outrage at home, with some media figures branding the players “traitors”.
Following Ghanbari’s decision, only two members of the delegation are now expected to remain in Australia.
Iranian media praised the captain’s move, with IRNA describing it as a return “to the embrace of the homeland,” while Mehr News Agency called it a “patriotic decision”.
However, international rights groups have raised concerns, saying Iranian authorities have previously pressured athletes abroad by threatening family members or confiscating property if they defect or criticise the government.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, earlier confirmed that some members of the team had chosen to abandon their asylum applications and rejoin the squad on its return journey.
He said the players were given repeated opportunities to discuss their options with Australian officials before making their final decision.
“The Australian Government has done everything we could to ensure these women had the opportunity for a safe future in Australia,” Burke said in a statement.