FIFA and AFC Urged to Act Faster for Iranian Women Footballers

Khalida Popal calls for urgent action to protect Iranian players

Former Afghan captain Khalida Popal praises Iranian players' bravery and pushes for faster action from FIFA and AFC. Popal urges FIFA and AFC to prioritize safety of Iranian women footballers seeking asylum in Australia.

Iranian women's football team faces uncertain future after Asian Cup elimination and airstrikes on Iran...

Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan's women's football team, is praising the bravery of Iranian women footballers who sought asylum in Australia. She's calling on FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to do more to protect female athletes facing persecution, especially after Iranian state TV labeled the team “wartime traitors” for refusing to sing the national anthem.

Popal, who's now a refugee in Denmark, knows firsthand the challenges these players face. She's urging football bodies to prioritize the safety and security of these athletes, saying they're “very brave” and deserve support. The Iranian players' actions have sparked global attention, with concerns growing for their safety if they return home.

Khalida Popal, a former Afghan football captain and refugee in Denmark, praised the Iranian women's football team for showing extraordinary resolve. She was forced to flee Afghanistan in 2011 due to her football activism and was later granted refugee status in Denmark.

Popal, who founded the Girl Power Organization to empower women and girls in marginalized communities, commended the Iranian players for their bravery in seeking asylum in Australia. She urged FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to do more to protect female athletes facing persecution.

“What the Iranian women are doing right now, what they have done, their stand with so much pressure against a murderous government — that's a brave stand. They are very brave. They should ‌be proud of themselves,” she said on Wednesday.

Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan's women's football team, knows firsthand the emotional burden of seeking asylum. She's drawing on her own experiences as a refugee to highlight the psychological toll Iranian women footballers face after seeking safety in Australia.

Popal, who fled Afghanistan in 2011 due to threats to her safety, describes the feeling of being “physically safe, but mentally pressured.” She explains that even after reaching safety, refugees often experience stress, anxiety, and guilt, wondering why they're safe while others aren't.

Her own journey was marked by depression, stress, and anxiety, and she's now advocating for FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to do more to protect female athletes facing persecution.

Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan's women's football team, reflected on her own harrowing experience fleeing Afghanistan, saying, “It was the most difficult situation I had ever been in.” She had to deal with depression, stress, and anxiety, constantly worried about her family's safety back home.

Popal, who's now a refugee in Denmark, knows firsthand the psychological toll of seeking asylum. She's drawing on her experiences to highlight the challenges Iranian women footballers face after seeking safety in Australia. “You're physically safe, but mentally pressured. Mentally, you're going through a lot of stress and anxiety and guilty feelings because you're safe, while others like you are being killed, silenced, or imprisoned,” she said.

Khalida Popal, founder and director of Girl Power Organization, is grateful to Australia for offering asylum to Iranian women footballers who sought refuge. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that five players were offered asylum, with two more coming forward, but one player has since decided to return to Iran.

Popal, a former Afghan football captain and refugee herself, praised the Iranian players' bravery and urged FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to prioritize their safety and security. She emphasized the psychological toll of seeking asylum, saying, “You're physically safe, but mentally pressured.”

“I'm grateful for the Australian government that they have shown love and support,” Popal said. “The football community stepped up and said, 'Our doors are open for you. You're welcome. This is your home.'”

Khalida Popal, former Afghan football captain, is calling out FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for not doing enough to protect Iranian women footballers seeking asylum in Australia. The Iranian team's Asian Cup campaign was cut short after they were eliminated on Sunday, amidst concerns for their safety following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Like many Australians, everyone at Brisbane Roar FC has been watching the story of the Iran women's national football team players now here in Queensland with immense admiration.

These are elite footballers — passionate, talented women who love the game just as deeply as we do.… pic.twitter.com/vwxMZ4syu0

— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) March 10, 2026

The Players' union FIFPRO has urged FIFA and AFC to prioritize the players' human rights and safety, but Popal wants them to act faster and more decisively. Five players have been granted asylum in Australia, while one player decided to return to Iran.

“This is the time for the AFC and FIFA to stand together to support the women of Iran, even those who went back home. Their safety and security should be the priority. Right now they are very slow,” she said.

“The ⁠world is not becoming a better ⁠place, and there will be more ‌crises. Sport needs to be prepared for this.”