Iranian Women's Football Team Leaves Malaysia for Oman After Asylum Reversal

Five Iranian Players withdraw asylum claims, rejoin team in Malaysia

The Iranian women's soccer team is set to leave Malaysia for Oman after five players withdrew their asylum claims in Australia.

Five Iranian players rejoin team in Malaysia, end asylum bid in Australia...

A fifth member of Iran's women's soccer team has withdrawn her asylum claim in Australia and will rejoin the team in Malaysia. This leaves only two players and one support staff member who initially sought asylum, still in Australia.

The players' concerns stem from their decision not to sing Iran's national anthem during a Women's Asian Cup match, sparking fears of persecution upon return. The team is now expected to travel to another country from Malaysia, as they cannot immediately return to Tehran due to regional conflicts.

The five who withdrew their asylum claims are set to join the rest of the team in Kuala Lumpur, where they've been staying since leaving Sydney last week. Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News the government respects the decision of those who chose to return to Iran, while continuing to support the two members still in Australia.

“This is a very complex situation,” Thistlethwaite said, acknowledging the challenges faced by the Iranian team. The team is looking to travel to another country from Malaysia, as returning to Tehran isn't an option due to the Middle East conflict, according to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The Iranian Football Association said the team is expected to leave Malaysia for Tehran soon, “to once again be embraced by their families and homeland.” However, AFC's General Secretary Windsor John stated that the team will seek alternative destinations, as they can't return to Iran immediately due to the Middle East conflict.

The team has been in Kuala Lumpur since March 10, after being knocked out of the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia. Five players and a support staff member had initially sought asylum in Australia, but four players and the staffer have since rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur.

“They are just waiting for the flight connections. When they are going... where to, they have to tell us,” he said.

Windsor John said he couldn't verify reports of Iranian authorities pressuring the players' families, adding that the players hadn't expressed safety concerns.

🇮🇷 Iran women’s football captain Zahra Ghanbari has withdrawn her asylum request in Australia and plans to return to Iran.

She is the fifth member of the Iranian team to reverse their decision after initially seeking asylum during the Asian Cup.

Seven players and staff had… pic.twitter.com/cvjFKJxXys

— Europa.com (@europa) March 15, 2026

“We have spoken to the team officials. We have spoken to the coaches, the head of delegation. They are actually in high spirits,” he said.

“I personally met them. They are not de-motivated, or ‌they didn't look afraid.”

The Iranian women's soccer team was already out of the Asian Cup when the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This happened right as their tournament was getting underway, and they were eliminated just a week later.

Read Also: FIFA and AFC Urged to Act Faster for Iranian Women Footballers

US President Donald Trump praised Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for allowing the team to stay in Australia, saying the US was ready to take them if Australia didn't. The team had sought asylum due to fears of persecution back home after they didn't sing their national anthem at a match.

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