Iran’s national women’s soccer team has arrived home, state media reported, amid fears over their fate after the squad did not sing the national anthem ahead of a game at a tournament in Australia, two days after the United States and Israel began their war with Iran.
After the Iranian state television labeled the players “traitors,” they sang the anthem in their two subsequent Women’s Asian Cup matches. They have not publicly commented on the war or their actions.
Seven team members sought asylum in Australia, but five have since changed their minds and decided to return home.
The semi-official news agency Fars shared a video earlier today of the players and members of the coaching staff entering the country through the Bazargan border crossing with Turkey, “welcomed by officials and the public.”
“The female footballers of the national team and the coaching staff are the dear children of this land, and the people of Iran embrace them,” Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in a post on X earlier today.
“Our daughters, despite all the malice of the enemies of this country, have not been discouraged and have not surrendered to the temptations and intimidation of those hostile to Iran, and they will proudly return to their permanent home, Iran,” Qalibaf added.
Two team members who stayed in Australia joined a training session with an Australian professional club yesterday.
The saga drew widespread attention, including a public intervention from President Donald Trump, who urged Australia to offer the players asylum.