Iran women’s football team returns home after asylum controversy

Thursday, 19 March 2026 02:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Members of the Iranian women’s national football team outside the airport after they arrived in the eastern Turkish city of Igdir

Members of Iran’s women’s national football team and their support staff have returned to Iran, the Fars news agency is reporting.

The agency showed members of the team being welcomed by officials and members of the public at the Turkiye-Iran Bazargan ‌border, as they returned home from a tournament in Australia.

The team has been at the centre of controversy after refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem at a match in Australia, which led to them being branded “traitors” by an IRIB presenter.

Six players and one member of the support staff then took up an offer of asylum in Australia, citing safety concerns if they returned to Iran, before five changed their minds and left the country to return home.

Tasnim news agency reported that a welcoming ceremony will be held today evening in Tehran.