Amid the war in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran, five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team reportedly defected after Sunday’s game during the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.
The Iranian team has been in Australia since the U.S. and Israel began attacking Iran on Feb. 28, and it’s unclear where the rest of the team will go.
“The safety and security of IR Iran’s women’s national team are FIFA’s priority, and we therefore remain in close contact with the AFC and the relevant Australian authorities, including Football Australia, in relation to the team’s situation,” a FIFA spokesperson told CNN Sports on Monday.
Regarding the players who reportedly defected, the Iranian government media have called the players “wartime traitors,” and also said, “Anyone who takes a step against the country under war conditions must be dealt with more severely.”
Following the men’s national team at its opening match of the 2022 World Cup, the women’s team did not sing Iran’s national anthem. However, for their next two matches, the team sang the national anthem and gave a military salute under reported pressure.
President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform about the Iranian women’s team Monday, and also said he spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“He’s on it!” Trump posted. “Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. 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.”
Trump previously said on Truth Social that “The U.S. will take them if you won’t,” instead of letting the players return to Iran, “where they will most likely be killed.”
Iran women’s head coach Marziyeh Jafari, the 2025 AFC coach of the year, said after Sunday’s match, “Personally, I would like to return to my country as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family.”
–Field Level Media
