United States President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Australia will grant asylum to Iranian women footballers following their silent protest during the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Speaking via his social media platform, Truth Social, the President claimed that after a conversation with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, at least five members of the team have already been “taken care of” and are under the protection of the Australian Federal Police.
The development comes after the Iranian women footballers found themselves in a threatening situation due to their refusal to sing their national anthem before an opening match against South Korea, a gesture widely interpreted as a protest against the Tehran regime.
Following the team’s elimination from the tournament after a loss to the Philippines, concerns for their safety peaked.
Reports also indicated that five players, identified as Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi, evaded their team handlers and sought refuge with local authorities.
Speaking on the matter, Trump, who took to his Truth Social Platform said: “I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of.”
Trump added that “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.”
There was no immediate comment from the Australian government, which has so far declined to say whether it could offer the players asylum.
Asked about the move to grant asylum to Iranian women footballers on Sunday, Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong said the country “stands in solidarity” with the people of Iran.
The son of Iran’s late shah, US-based Reza Pahlavi, warned on Monday that the refusal to sing the anthem could have “dire consequences”, and urged Australia to offer the team protection.
Trump then weighed in, pressing Albanese to “give ASYLUM” to the team and adding: “The US will take them if you won’t.”
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iranian Women’s National Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed,” the US leader said on Truth Social.
Pahlavi, who has not returned to Iran since before the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the monarchy, has billed himself as the man to lead a democratic transition to a secular Iran as the theocratic regime fights to survive.
Politicians, human rights activists, and even “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling have also called for the team to be offered official protection.
“Please, protect these young women,” Rowling said in a post on social media.
