By Mark Swanson | Monday, March 9, 2026, 12:12 PM EST
President Donald Trump has urged Australian authorities to grant asylum to members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team after they were denounced by Iranian state media as “traitors” for refusing to sing their country’s national anthem during a tournament.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that the players could face severe consequences if compelled to return to Iran and called on Australian leaders to act immediately.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Women’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed,” Trump stated. “Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”
Later, Trump claimed he had spoken directly with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the situation and reported that efforts were already underway to assist some players.
“I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team,” Trump wrote. “He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.”
Trump added that some athletes might still choose to return to Iran due to concerns for family members.
“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 noted. “In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation.”
The players’ silent protest during the Women’s Asian Cup tournament—held before their opening match last week—drew condemnation from hardliners in Tehran. Before the tournament began, the athletes stood quietly during the Iranian national anthem, an act widely interpreted as a protest against Iran’s ruling regime.
Iranian state television commentators quickly denounced the players, with one broadcaster reportedly calling for punishment and labeling the team “traitors.”
As the tournament approaches its conclusion, concerns over the athletes’ safety have intensified. The 26-member squad was scheduled to return home after playing their final match on Sunday night but was eliminated from the competition following a 2-0 loss to the Philippines.
Activists, members of the Iranian diaspora, and Australian officials fear the women could face retaliation upon returning to Iran. Five players have already left the team’s hotel and are now under police protection in Australia.
Tina Kordrostami, a local councilor in Sydney who has been in contact with some of the players, described their protest as a powerful act of defiance. “They can only talk with silence. It was a dismissal of the regime,” she said, calling it “one of the most courageous things I’ve seen.”
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former shah, praised the players’ actions, labeling their silence a “brave act of civil disobedience” and warning they could face “dire consequences” if they return home.
Human rights advocates and sports organizations are pressuring Australian authorities to ensure the athletes’ safety. Craig Foster, a former captain of Australia’s national soccer team and a human rights advocate, urged officials to take the threats seriously. “It is clear they are being silenced and coerced,” he said. “Authorities must take steps to protect the players before they are forced to return to Iran.”
